A recent breakthrough by Kansas State University biochemists could lead to the cover crops pennycress and camelina becoming new sources for improved biodiesel.

A research team led by Timothy Durrett, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and doctoral conferee Linah Alkotami used synthetic biology techniques to significantly increase the amount of acetyl-triacylglycerols — a unique type of oil found and adapted from the burning bush plant — in pennycress and camelina to near-pure levels.

These acetyl-triacylglycerols, or acetyl-TAGs, are very useful for their low viscosity and performance in cold temperatures — a key criterion for use as diesel replacement.

The team published its results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The overwintering ability of these crops are of particular interest to farmers who could plant them in late fall and harvest in early spring.