Seed Storage Compounds: Biosynthesis, Interactions and Manipulation: 35 (Proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe) - Hardcover

Seeds are the major plant organ harvested by man, who exploits their rich storage reserves for food, for feed for his livestock, and for industrial raw materials. These storage reserves comprise three major types of compound - proteins, lipids (triacyglycerols) and starch. The amounts, proportions and compositions of these three groups vary with species, genotype and within genetically-determined limits, the environment (notably, availability of nitrogen and sulphur). Howeveer, despite the immense economic importance of seed storage compounds, little is known of the mechanisms that regulate their biosynthesis and, in particular, the proportions of the different types. In this volume, and the meeting on which it was based, experts on all three groups of seed storage compounds review the current state of knowledge of their biosynthesis and cell biology, and discuss their interactions and the potential for manipulating their amount and composition by genetic engineering. It also discusses their interactions, and the mechanisms by which the plant may regulate the partitioning of carbon into lipid or starch. Finally, it discusses the opportunities for the genetic engineering of plants either to manipulate the structures of the major seed storage compounds, or to produce novel products. Peter Shewry is the editor of "Barley: Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology", (with B.J. Miflin) of "Techniques for the Separation of Barley and Maize Proteins", and "Plant Protein Engineering" (with S. Gutteridge).