Mapping the Fas locus controlling stearic acid content in soybean

Abstract

Increasing the stearic acid content to improve soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr] oil quality is a desirable breeding objective for food-processing applications. Although a saturated fatty acid, stearic acid has been shown to reduce total levels of blood cholesterol and offers the potential for the production of solid fat products (such as margarine) without hydrogenation. This would result in the reduction of the level of trans fat in food products and alleviate some current health concerns. A segregating F2 population was developed from the cross between Dare, a normal stearic acid content cultivar, and FAM94-41, a high stearic acid content line. This population was used to assess linkage between the Fas locus and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Three SSR markers, Satt070, Satt474, and Satt556, were identified to be associated with stearic acid (P < 0.0001, r 2 > 0.61). A linkage map consisting of the three SSR markers and the Fas locus was then constructed in map order, Fas, Satt070, Satt474, and Satt556, with a LOD score of 3.0. Identification of these markers may be useful in molecular marker-assisted breeding programs targeting modifications in soybean fatty acids.

Molecular mapping and identification of soybean fatty acid modifier quantitative trait loci

“…This modifier QTL may influence the major gene Fas, which governs 18:0 concentration and is in the same region. Spencer et al (26) detected Satt070 at 1.9 cM from the Fas locus having an r 2 of 67% in a population, which contained a natural mutation governing a two-fold increase in 18:0 (6,27). In our study the Essex allele of Satt070 had an additive effect of 4.5 g/kg.…”

Effect of sulphur supplementation on micronutrients, fatty acids and sulphur use efficiency of soybean seeds

“…Soybean oil makes up nearly 60% of the world's oil seed production and is by far the world's dominant vegetable oil (http://www.soystats.com) which has also been employed as source of bio-diesel fuels (Graham and Vance 2003). The fatty acid composition in oilseeds is an important consideration for breeding programs (Daun 1998 (Spencer et al, 2003). Sulphur interactions with nitrogen nutrients are directly related to the alteration of physiological and biochemical responses of crops, and thus required to be studied in depth.…”

Quantitative trait locus analysis of saturated fatty acids in a population of recombinant inbred lines of soybean

“…For human food consumption, vegetable oils with reduced saturated fatty acid levels are usually desirable to reduce the health risk of coronary diseases and breast, colon and prostate cancer associated with saturated fatty acids (Hu et al 1997;Henderson 1991). However, for certain food and industrial applications, e.g., for the production of various 'baking fats' such as margarines or shortenings, increased levels of saturated fatty acids could be an advantage (Spencer et al 2003). The solid-fat content of a vegetable oil determines its suitability for use in the production of 'baking fats'.…”

“…A soybean oil with approximately 30% total saturates can make a suitable trans-free margarine through the process of interestification (List et al 2000). Since approximately 52% of USA soybean oil is utilized for the production of various 'baking fats' (Spencer et al 2003), increasing the saturated fatty acid content to meet the needs of the oil-processing industry will be an important breeding objective as well for soybean oil and oil quality improvement.…”