Study of inulin metabolism in <i>Cichorium intybus</i>

Our research aims to select chicory with the help of molecular markers, and to improve, by genetic engineering, its inulin production. Inulin is a polyfructan with high dietary and food value. Currently, chicories are transformed with chimeric constructs containing 1-SST or 1-FFT inulin synthesis genes by means of modified binary vector/Agrobacterium tumefaciens system. Studies and antisense inhibition of invertase activities would permit the control of fructan depolymerization during cold stress.