Abstract: A canola line has been stabilized to produce seeds having an ?-linolenic acid content of less than that of generic canola oil, more preferably lass-than or equal to about 7% ?-linolenic acid relative to total fatty acid content of said seed and a total glucosinolate content of less than 18 ?mol/g of defatted meal, more preferably less than or equal to about 15 ?mol/g of defatted meal. This canola line has reduced sulfur content of less than or equal to 3.0 ppm, improved sensory characteristics and increased oxidative stability.

Abstract: Seeds, plants and oils are provided having high oleic acid; low linoleic acid; and low linoleic acid plus linolenic acid; and advantageous functional or nutritional properties. Plants are disclosed that contain a mutation in a delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene. Preferred plants are rapeseed and sunflower plants. Plants carrying such mutant genes have altered fatty acid composition in seeds. In one embodiment, a plant contains a mutation in a region having the conserved motif His-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-His, found in delta-12 and delta-15 fatty acid desaturases. A preferred motif has the sequence His-Glu-Cys-Gly-His. A preferred mutation in this motif has the amino acid sequence His-Lys-Cys-Gly-His. Nucleic acid fragments are disclosed that comprise a mutant delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene sequence.

Abstract: The preparation and use of nucleic acid fragments encoding fatty acid desaturase enzymes are described. The invention permits alteration of plant lipid composition. Chimeric genes incorporating such nucleic acid fragments with suitable regulatory sequences may be used to create transgenic plants with altered levels of unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: An endogenous oil extracted from Brassica seeds is disclosed that contains, after crushing and extraction, greater than 86% oleic acid and less than 2.5% ?-linolenic acid. The oil also contains less than 7% linoleic acid. The Brassica seeds are produced by plants that contain seed-specific inhibition of microsomal oleate desaturase and microsomal linoleate desaturase gene expression. Such inhibition can be created by cosuppression or antisense technology. Such an oil has a very high oxidative stability in the absence of added antioxidants.

Abstract: Seeds, plants and oils are provided having high oleic acid; low linoleic acid; and low linoleic acid plus linolenic acid; and advantageous functional or nutritional properties. Plants are disclosed that contain a mutation in a delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene. Preferred plants are rapeseed and sunflower plants. Plants carrying such mutant genes have altered fatty acid composition in seeds. In one embodiment, a plant contains a mutation in a region having the conserved motif His-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-His, found in delta-12 and delta-15 fatty acid desaturases. A preferred motif has the sequence His-Glu-Cys-Gly-His. A preferred mutation in this motif has the amino acid sequence His-Lys-Cys-Gly-His. Nucleic acid fragments are disclosed that comprise a mutant delta-12 or delta-15 fatty acid desaturase gene sequence.

Abstract: A triacylglycerol containing oil having a 1,3-dierucoyl 2-oleoyl glycerol (EOE) content of at least about 50% is described. Plants for producing an oil having a high EOE content are also described.

Abstract: A canola line has been stabilized to produce seeds having an ?-linolenic acid content of less than that of generic canola oil, more preferably lass than or equal to about 7% ?-linolenic acid relative to total fatty acid content of said seed and a total glucosinolate content of less than 18 ?mol/g of defatted meal, more preferably less than or equal to about 15 ?mol/g of defatted meal. This canola line has reduced sulfur content of less than or equal to 3.0 ppm, improved sensory characteristics and increased oxidative stability.