KSEF RDE: Increasing the Market Value of Industrial Hemp Seed

Industrial hemp is being re-evaluated as a promising crop for fiber, seed oil and high protein seed meal for Kentucky and several other states. Hemp seed oil is composed of 55% linoleic (18:2), 16% -linolenic ( 18:3), 12% oleic, 5% palmitic, 3% -linolenic ( 18:3) with a few minor fatty acids and rich in antioxidants. Both and 18:3s are important fatty acids for human and animal nutritionally and their levels found in hempseed oil are inadequate. -3 and -6 Desaturases are responsible for converting 18:2 into 18:3 and 18:3. Therefore, we propose to increase 1) 18:3 content by overexpressing an -3 desaturase and 2) 18:3 content by overexpressing a -6 desaturase and both desaturases in developing seeds. Lines with the highest increase in seed 18:3 or 18:3 levels will be inter-crossed to obtain the lines with an increase in both 18:3 and 18:3. Such nutritionally enriched oils will increase the market value of industrial hemp grown in Kentucky.