Genetic Enhancement of Soybean Oil for Industrial Uses : Prospects and Challenges

Abstract

Soybean oil is a renewable raw material for a wide variety of industrial products, including inks, plasticizers, and paints. The range of potential applications can be expanded by genetic improvements that alter the fatty acid composition of soybean oil. Technical challenges and costs associated with the development and production of these new oil traits are the major hurdles that currently limit the commercial potential of this research.