Helianthus tuberosus, also known as Helianthus tuberosus and Guizijiang, is a perennial herb. It is 1-3 meters high and has a large number of underground stems and fibrous roots. Native to North America, it was introduced to Europe in the17th century and then to China.

Its underground tubers are rich in fructose polymers such as starch and inulin, which can be eaten, cooked or cooked in porridge, pickled pickles and dried Jerusalem artichoke, or used as raw materials for preparing starch and alcohol. Planting near the house has a beautification effect. Jerusalem artichoke is called "2 1 century human and animal crops" by FAO officials.

Under the background of global oil price rising and energy crisis, biodiesel technology has attracted much attention. Jerusalem artichoke tubers are rich in a series of fructooligosaccharides-inulin. The extracted inulin (fructooligosaccharides) can be converted into fructooligosaccharides through complex chemical processes. The fructooligosaccharides contained in the fructooligosaccharides can be converted into biodiesel through the action of a cell factory after being added into Escherichia coli.

In 2007, Chinese Academy of Sciences made a breakthrough in this technology. Scientists in the research group are looking for a more economical, convenient and simple transformation process and method, so as to minimize the cost and finally realize commercialization and industrialization, so that motor vehicles can truly bid farewell to natural diesel or gasoline and let mankind get rid of the threat of energy crisis.