Seed storage oil catabolism: a story of give and take

► Storage oil hydrolysis fuels establishment but not all lipases have been identified. ► The enzymology but not regulation of fatty acid β-oxidation has been well studied. ► Peroxisome membrane transporters have been identified but key questions remain. ► The role of β-oxidation in seed germination is now much better understood. ► TAG metabolism may play important but as yet undefined roles in vegetative tissues.