Genome editing to improve health benefits of root chicory
Root chicory is a European crop from which the health promoting dietary fiber inulin is extracted at industrial scale. The roots also accumulate bitter sesquiterpene lactones (STLs), but these are currently discarded as waste. The results of a recently finished EU-CHIC project will be presented to implement genome editing to develop root chicory as a crop from which multiple health products can be extracted.
Variants of CRISPR methods were evaluated and implemented to generate new chicory varieties: varieties in which the accumulation of bitter STLs was completely prevented, which greatly facilitates inulin extraction, as well as varieties that accumulate different specific STLs with potential for medicinal use. Additionally, chicory varieties with higher quality of inulin and varieties in which the self-incompatibility of chicory was disrupted, were generated. Through these experiments scientific knowledge on chicory biology was increased, particularly regarding its bioactive compounds, their biosynthesis and storage.
CHIC demonstrated that genome editing can be a powerful tool to help to stimulate agricultural biodiversity in Europe by improving niche crops. Within five years multiple improved varieties with potential benefits throughout the value chain, from farmer to consumer, as well as for the environment and economy, were generated.
Door: Katarina Cankar & Dirk Bosch, WUR