Background: This invention relates to systems and methods for the production of linear and branched-chain hydrocarbons such as triterpenes. In particular the invention relates to transgenic plants for use in the production of triterpenes as an alternative source for biofuels and petrochemicals. Technology Description: Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds and triterpenes are one type of terpenes consisting of six isoprene units and having the molecular formula C30H48. Linear branched-chain triterpenes have direct commercial value in numerous fields. They may be used in personal health care as oil bases for cosmetics and topical skin care products and in food manufacturing as emulsifiers. Triterpene processing can also yield intermediaries of value for chemical manufacturing (i.e. nylons oils and plastics) and combustible fuel products. Triterpenese are found naturally in bacteria fungi plants and animals but they accumulate in only select organisms and current extraction and purification processes are costly and generate low yields. The present invention discloses systems methods and plants engineered for high-level production of triterpenes in a scalable renewable and sustainable production platform. This system and method includes transforming plant cells with an isolated nucleic acid encoding a farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS) and with an isolated nucleic acid encoding a triterpenes synthase resulting in increased triterpene production by the plant. Applications: Cosmetics food manufacturing emulsifiers chemical manufacturing nylons oils plastics combustible fuel products petrochemicals biofuels
Triterpenes are naturally occurring compounds that can be used as a cost-effective alternative source for biofuels and petrochemicals.