Stearidonic Acid Enriched Soybean Oil as a Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

The average Western diet provides insufficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids for human nutrition. The intake of low omega-3 fatty acid levels have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Soybeans represent the predominant source for edible oils in the US. Soybean oil contains roughly 55% omega-6 (linoleic acid, LA) and about 7% omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA). LA and ALA are essential fatty acids for humans and animals and serve as precursors for the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which aid pro-, and anti-inflammatory processes in the human body. Stearidonic acid (SDA) is an intermediate in the conversion of ALA to EPA with substantially improved conversion rates compared to ALA. Compared with EPA, SDA is less susceptible to oxidative decay, and therefore represents an interesting alternative to the most common omega-3 fatty acid sources as it combines improved bioactivity compared to common vegetable oils with improved stability compared to fish oils. This presentation introduces ongoing activities for the development of SDA vegetable oil at Monsanto.