The invention discloses a method for producing
astaxanthin in cotton BKT
Gene and application, belonging to the field of
plant genetic engineering technology. In cotton, the enhanced constitutive 2×35S
promoter is used to drive the tobacco
Rubisco signal peptide to induce BKT The
gene is expressed in cotton chloroplasts, successfully establishing an
astaxanthin biosynthetic pathway, enabling
astaxanthin production in various cotton tissues, including leaves, stems, anthers, sepals, and seeds. Testing of transgenic cotton seeds revealed a significant increase in weight and size, but a decrease in
gossypol content. Therefore, the method of the present invention can create transgenic cotton plants rich in astaxanthin, with larger and heavier cotton seeds, lower
gossypol content, and a more nutritious and less toxic profile. This method can be used to create cotton plants that are bio-factories for astaxanthin production, providing a stable, low-cost, and effective alternative to traditional astaxanthin sources.