Stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD) is an important fatty acid biosynthetic enzyme responsible for the production of oleic acid. It is a soluble enzyme in the plastid which introduces a cis double bond into saturated stearoyl-ACP (18:0-ACP) at the ∆9 position to produce mono-unsaturated oleoyl-ACP (18:1-ACP) (Figure 1). It has an important housekeeping role for producing unsaturated fatty acids for membrane lipid biosynthesis. In oil accumulating tissues like anthers, seeds and mesocarp, it is involved in the developmentally regulated process of storage lipid biosynthesis. Oleic acid is a valuable feedstock for the oleochemical industry. An important objective of the oil palm genetic engineering programme is to increase the level of oleic acid in palm oil at the expense of palmitic acid (16:0).

Main Research:  Dr Siti Nor Akmar