BASF's research objectives for an improved and healthier nutrition are focused on the omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
More valuable fatty acids in oil plants
Cardiovascular diseases and strokes are particularly increasing in the industrial nations. An effective protection against them are long-chain, omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fatty fish. However, since most of us do not eat enough fish, fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids are added to many foodstuffs. BASF Plant Science is attempting to change the genetic material of the oil plants such that the plants themselves form an optimum spectrum of fatty acids in order to provide a better supply of essential fatty acids.
Plant biotechnology optimizes classical breeding. For example, plants can be developed whose ingredients offer a healthier nutrition, grow under unfavorable conditions or produce substances, which are otherwise produced by a complicated chemical process.
