Sustainable Biofuel Precursor Production in Populus alba via Chitosan Nanoparticle Gene Transformation

This study evaluated chitosan nanoparticle-mediated transformation of an acetyl-CoA carboxylase-related construct in Populus alba L. as a preliminary strategy for enhancing lipid-associated metabolism under in vitro conditions. Chitosan nanoparticles were used as a biocompatible and biodegradable nanocarrier for plasmid DNA delivery into P. alba nodal explants by syringe inoculation. Molecular screening indicated the presence of the introduced sequence in regenerated transformed plantlets, while transcript detection supported its molecular activity under the experimental conditions used. The transformed line showed an increase in total lipid content compared with the non-transgenic control. In addition, GC–MS profiling revealed six additional lipid-associated fractions that were detected in the transformed material but not in the non-transgenic control under the present experimental conditions. These fractions were interpreted cautiously as GC–MS-detected extractable metabolites rather than definitive biodiesel fatty acid products. To our knowledge, this study is among the early reports exploring chitosan nanoparticle-mediated transformation of an ACCase-related construct in P. alba for lipid-associated trait improvement. The findings suggest that this approach may provide a useful experimental platform for future biofuel-precursor research; however, further validation is required to confirm the chemical identity of the detected fractions, assess genetic stability, evaluate biomass productivity, and determine fuel-conversion efficiency before practical biofuel application can be established.