Plastic fantastic: Compounds from oilseeds could be used to make plastics and other products Photo: CSIRO

A collaborative research between scientists from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Grains Research and Development Corporation Crop Biofactories Initiative (CBI) has been able to accumulate 30% of an unusual fatty acid (UFA) in the Arabidopsis plant. UFAs are usually sourced from petrochemicals to produce plastics, paints and cosmetics.

The 12-year CBI project aims to add value to the Australian agricultural and chemical industries by developing technologies to produce novel industrial compounds from genetically modified oilseed crops.  The project focuses on three key areas: industrial oils, complex monomers and protein biopolymers.

“Using crops as biofactories has many advantages, beyond the replacement of dwindling petrochemical resources,” said Dr Allan Green, the leader of the CSIRO crop development team. “Global challenges such as population growth, climate change and the switch from non-renewable resources are opening up many more opportunities for bio-based products.”

The CBI is focusing on producing an oilseed plant with commercially viable UFA levels. The technology is said to be low greenhouse gas generating, sustainable and capable of reinvigorating agribusiness. Safflower is considered a perfect plant for industrial production in Australia.

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