Abstract: Compositions that are plants, seeds or crops that have a combination of defective BADC genes and genes for making hydroxy fatty acids produced normal levels of oil containing specialty fatty acids, and exhibited an increases in total oil accumulation, increase in absolute hydroxy (specialized) fatty acid accumulation per seed and/or per plant and/or per unit land area. Defective BADC genes and genes for synthesizing hydroxy fatty acids are combined to produce specialized fatty acids without substantially slowing production of endogenous fatty acids. Methods are also described for increasing production of unusual fatty acids and increasing total fatty acid levels in plants by a mechanism involving combining defective BADC genes and genes for making hydroxy fatty acids to produce steady or increased levels of oil containing the increased specialty products as described herein.

Abstract: Specialized (iso)eugenol 4-O-methyltransferase (s-IEMT) enzymes having increased capacity for methylation of monolignols are disclosed. The s-IEMTs have unique activity favoring methylation of coniferyl alcohol versus sinapyl alcohol. Various s-IEMTs methylate ferulic acid. Means for producing the various s-IEMTs are provided. The s-IEMTs are useful for modification of lignin content and production of aromatic compounds.

Abstract: Specialized (iso)eugenol 4-O-methyltransferase (s-IEMT) enzymes having increased capacity for methylation of monolignols are disclosed. The s-IEMTs have unique activity favoring methylation of coniferyl alcohol versus sinapyl alcohol. Various s-IEMTs methylate ferulic acid. Means for producing the various s-IEMTs are provided. The s-IEMTs are useful for modification of lignin content and production of aromatic compounds.