Innovative Breeding Methods to Enhance the Oleic Acid Content in Peanut for Better Oil Quality and Human Health

Cultivated peanut is an important oilseed and legume crop. The quality of the peanut oil depends on its chemical properties especially the fatty acid composition. Oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids have health benefits and enhanced oil quality such as better oil stability, flavor and nutrition. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated (C18:1) has cholesterollowering properties [1]. In addition, oleic acid helps to decrease the inflammation of the endothelial cells [2]. Dietary intake of oleic acid can also protect endothelial cells against hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress and thus reduce susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins to oxidative modifications [2]. Therefore, one of the major goals for peanut breeding is to increase the oleic acids and thereby enhancing the ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid.