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Researchers are trying to
improve the nutritional
value of soy.
Some researchers are
focusing on techniques to
produce omega-3 fatty acids,
other fatty acids and
proteins in soy. Omega-3
fatty acids, which reduce
cholesterol levels in the
blood, are naturally found
in leafy green vegetables,
vegetable oils, and fish
such as salmon and mackerel.
Increasing the levels of
omega-3 polyunsaturated
fatty acids in soy is
desirable for both health
and environmental reasons.
They are important for
prenatal and early childhood
brain development. And,
because these compounds are
primarily found in coldwater
fish, such as salmon, tuna,
halibut and herring, the
declining state of marine
fisheries and levels of
mercury contamination are a
concern. GM soy plants that
supply omega-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids
would not only be beneficial
for consumers, but could
also ease the pressure on
fish stocks.
High-protein soy is
desirable in countries for
both human and animal foods
where alternative proteins
are scarce. It is gaining
further acceptance in many
parts of the developing
world.
As a start, the CSIROs
Food Futures Flagship has
developed plants that
produce DHA, a healthy
omega-3 oil component that
is vital for human health
and normally only available
from fish sources.
Omega-3 oils are
polyunsaturated fatty acids
that are considered 'healthy
oils'. Docosa-hexaenoic
acid, or DHA, is a
long-chain omega-3 fatty
acid that is favoured for
its health benefits. DHA is
found in every cell membrane
in the body and is vital for
brain and eye development in
infants. It is also now
widely recognised for its
ability to reduce coronary
heart disease risk, type-2
diabetes, Alzheimers disease
and asthma.
Most Australians consume
only a tenth of the
recommended amount of DHA.
Many foods are now enriched
with omega-3 oils from fish,
but with declining natural
fish stocks, and
aquaculture's current
reliance on fish-based
feeds, additional sources of
long-chain omega-3 oils are
urgently needed.
CSIRO researchers have
placed DHA-producing genes
into a plant that
successfully produced DHA in
its own seeds. Although it
will be some years before
commercialisation, crop
plants capable of producing
useful levels of DHA in
their own seeds would have
many benefits.
DHA enriched crop plants
could provide consumers with
cheaper and more varied
sources of DHA –
particularly valuable to
those with fish allergies or
who, because of cost,
availability or choice,
don't have a high level of
fish consumption in their
diet.
Demand on natural fish
stocks as a source of DHA
would be less. Fish in
aquaculture could be fed DHA
enriched plants, rather than
continuing to use other fish
as a feed, improving the
sustainability of
aquaculture without
compromising quality. |
