Fatty acid desaturases from primula
The invention relates generally to methods and compositions concerning desaturase enzymes that modulate the number and location of double bonds in long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's). In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for improving omega-3 fatty acid profiles in plant products and parts using desaturase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding for such enzymes. In particular embodiments, the desaturase enzymes are Primula Δ6-desaturases. Also provided are improved soybean oil compositions having SDA and a beneficial overall content of omega-3 fatty acids relative to omega-6 fatty acids.
1. A lotion or ointment for topical application comprising an endogenous soybean oil that endogenously comprises stearidonic acid (SDA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA) in a ratio of at least about 1.3.
2. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said endogenous soybean oil comprises at least about 0.1% SDA.
3. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said ratio of SDA/GLA is at least about 1.5.
4. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said ratio of SDA/GLA is at least about 2.0.
5. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said ratio of SDA/GLA is at least about 2.5.
6. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said ratio of SDA/GLA is at least about 3.0.
7. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said oil further comprises alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
8. The lotion or ointment of claim 7 further comprising a ratio of SDA/ALA wherein said ratio of SDA/ALA is at least about 0.5.
9. The lotion or ointment of claim 8 wherein said ratio of SDA/ALA is at least about 1.0.
10. The lotion or ointment of claim 8 wherein said ratio of SDA/ALA is at least about 1.5.
11. The lotion or ointment of claim 8 wherein said ratio of SDA/ALA is less than about 1.8.
12. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said lotion or ointment further comprises an excipient.
13. The lotion or ointment of claim 1 wherein said SDA comprises SDA in a form selected from the group consisting of conjugated forms, esters, amides, sodium salts, potassium salts, lithium salts, N-alkylpolyhydroxamine salts, N-methyl glucamine, and ethyl esters.