Analysis of genes expression involved in yield and oil composition in macauba palm fruits

The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is an oil palm native from tropical forests and has a wide geographic distribution throughout the country. Currently there is a great interest in the oil produced from the fruits, which may be useful in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and, recently, in the production of biodiesel, becoming a sustainable option for energy production. The oil of the fruit is mainly concentrated in the pulp and kernel, making these tissues target for analysis. Accordingly the present work seeks to understand how the biology of macauba palm fruits occurs in the final ripening stage, trying to determine which processes are related to oil production and biosynthesis in the two most representative tissues, pulp and kernel, and correlating with the main genes involved in the metabolic pathway of fatty acids. Thereupon, 18 genotypes of macauba palm were analyzed in three ripening stage (T1-four months before ripening, T2-two months before ripening and T3-ripe fruit) and in two years (YEAR1-2013 and YEAR2- 2014). Analysis of biometry was realized, content and composition of pulp and kernel oils. To identify and understand how the fatty acid biosynthesis genes act in the development of macauba palm, RNAseq of six samples was performed, as well as analyzes of differential expression in the pulp and the kernel. As a consequence of the data generated, it was possible to perceive that the fruit morphology, as well as the kernel oil and its composition do not undergo significant changes at the end of the ripening of the fruits, although the pulp presents alterations regarding the oil content and fatty acid profile, which allowed to establish relationship with genes of the fatty acid biosynthetic route. In kernel oil it was also possible to make this relationship, but it was more subtle. These data allow a better understanding of the biology and ecology of macauba palm, contributing to the agricultural practices that may be developed and enabling future studies that can improve the quality of biodiesel and applications in various industries (AU)