Rapeseed
Encyclopedia
Rapeseed also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed (and in the case of one particular group of cultivar
s, canola
) is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae
(mustard or cabbage family). The name derives from the Latin
for turnip
, rāpa or rāpum, and is first recorded in English
at the end of the 14th century. Older writers usually distinguished the turnip and rape by the adjectives round and long(-rooted) respectively. See also Brassica napobrassica, which may be considered a variety of Brassica napus. Some botanists include the closely related Brassica campestris within B. napus. (See Triangle of U
). Rapeseed was the third leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000.
s. Canola has been bred to reduce the amount of glucosinolates, yielding a more palatable oil. This has had the side-effect that the oil contains much less erucic acid
.
Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed
, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel
; leading producers include the European Union
, Canada
, the United States
, Australia
, China
and India
. In India, it is grown on 13% of cropped land. According to the United States Department of Agriculture
, rapeseed was the third leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000, after soybean
and oil palm
, and also the world's second leading source of protein
meal, although only one-fifth of the production of the leading soybean meal.
World production is growing rapidly, with FAO
reporting that 36 million tonnes of rapeseed was produced in the 2003-2004 season, and estimates of 58.4 million tonnes in the 2010-2011 season. In Europe, rapeseed is primarily cultivated for animal
feed
, owing to its very high lipid
and medium protein content, and is a leading option for Europeans to avoid importation of genetically modified organism
(GMO) products.
Natural rapeseed oil contains 50% erucic acid
. Wild type seeds also contain high levels of glucosinolates (mustard oil glucosindes), chemical compounds that significantly lowered the nutritional value of rape seed press cakes for animal feed. Canola
, originally a syncopated form of the abbreviation "Can.O., L-A." (Canadian Oilseed, Low-Acid) that was used by the Manitoba government to label the seed during its experimental stages, is now a tradename for "double low" (low erucic acid and low glucosinolate) rapeseed. Sometimes the "Canola-quality" label is affixed to other varieties as well.
The rapeseed is the valuable, harvested component of the crop. The crop is also grown as a winter-cover crop
. It provides good coverage of the soil
in winter, and limits nitrogen
run-off. The plant is ploughed back in the soil or used as bedding. On some ecological or organic
operations, livestock such as sheep or cattle
are allowed to graze on the plants.
Processing of rapeseed for oil production produces rapeseed meal as a by-product. The by-product is a high-protein animal feed, competitive with soya
. The feed is mostly employed for cattle
feeding, but also for pig
s and chicken
s (though less valuable for these). The meal has a very low content of the glucosinolates responsible for metabolism disruption in cattle and pigs.
Rapeseed "oil cake" is also used as a fertilizer in China, and may be used for ornamentals, such as Bonsai, as well.
Rapeseed leaves
and stems are also edible, similar to those of the related bok choy or kale
. Some varieties of rapeseed (called 油菜, yóu cài, lit. "oil vegetable" in Chinese
; yau choy in Cantonese; cải dầu in Vietnamese
; phak kat kan khao [ผักกาดก้านขาว] in Thai; and nanohana [菜の花]/nabana [菜花] in Japanese
) are sold as greens, primarily in Asian groceries, including those in California where it is known as yao choy or tender greens. They are eaten as sag (spinach) in Indian and Nepalese cuisine, usually stir-fried with salt, garlic and spices.
Rapeseed produces great amounts of nectar, and honeybees produce a light colored, but peppery honey
from it. It must be extracted immediately after processing is finished, as it will quickly granulate in the honeycomb
and will be impossible to extract. The honey is usually blended with milder honeys, if used for table use or sold as bakery
grade. Rapeseed growers contract
with beekeeper
s for the pollination of the crop.
"Total loss" chain and bar oil for chainsaws have been developed which are typically 70% or more canola/rapeseed oil. These lubricants are claimed to be less harmful to the environment and less hazardous to users than traditional mineral oil products, although they are currently typically 2-5 times more expensive, leading some to use inexpensive cooking oil instead. Some countries, such as Austria, have banned the use of petroleum-based chainsaw oil. These "bio-lubricants" are generally reported to be functionally comparable to traditional mineral oil products with some reports claiming one or other is superior, but with no overall consensus yet evident.
for powering motor vehicles. Biodiesel may be used in pure form in newer engines without engine damage and is frequently combined with fossil-fuel diesel in ratios varying from 2% to 20% biodiesel. Formerly, owing to the costs of growing, crushing, and refining rapeseed biodiesel, rapeseed derived biodiesel cost more to produce than standard diesel fuel. Rapeseed oil is the preferred oil stock for biodiesel production in most of Europe, accounting for about 80% of the feedstock, partly because rapeseed produces more oil per unit of land area compared to other oil sources, such as soy beans. The majority of European cars and trucks run on diesel fuel and an estimated 66% of total rapeseed oil supply in the European Union is expected to be used for biodiesel production in the 2010-2011 year.
Rapeseed is currently grown with a high level of nitrogen-containing fertilisers, and the manufacture of these generates N2O
, a potent greenhouse gas with 296 times the global warming potential of CO2
. It has been estimated that 3-5% of nitrogen provided as fertilizer for rapeseed is converted to N2O.
by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Rapeseed oil contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a ratio of 2:1, although flax oil
is higher in omega-3 fatty acid
, as are other oils such as chia (Salvia hispanica
) oil. Canola oil's proponents claim that it is one of the most heart-healthy oils and has been reported to reduce cholesterol
levels, lower serum tryglyceride levels, and keep platelets from sticking together. While only very long chain omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve cholesterol levels, and these are absent from most plant foods, the body can convert some of the short chain into long chain omega 3's.
Rapeseed
oil can contain up to 45% erucic acid
, a known toxin. Food grade rapeseed oil (also known as canola
oil, rapeseed 00 oil, low erucic acid rapeseed oil, LEAR oil, and rapeseed canola-equivalent oil) is limited by government regulation to a maximum of 2% erucic acid by weight in the USA and 5% in the EU, with special regulations for infant food. These low levels of erucic acid are not believed to cause harm in humans.
In 1981 there was a deadly outbreak of disease in Spain, known as toxic oil syndrome
, which has been attributed to the consumption of rapeseed oil for industrial use that was fraudulently sold as cooking oil.
Rapeseed pollen contains known allergen
s. Whether rape pollen causes hay fever
has not been well established because rape is an insect pollinated (entomophilous) crop, whereas hay fever is usually caused by wind pollinated plants. It has been suggested that the inhalation of oilseed rape dust may cause asthma
in agricultural workers.
and Brassica oleracea
in 2009. The "A" genome component of the amphidiploid Rapeseed species B. napus is currently being sequenced by the Multinational Brassica Genome Project.
new cultivars of rapeseed that are resistant to the effects of its herbicide
Roundup. They have sought compensation from farmers found to have the Roundup Ready gene
in Canola in their fields without paying a license fee. These farmers have claimed the Roundup Ready gene was blown into their fields and crossed with unaltered Canola. Other farmers claim that after spraying Roundup in non-Canola fields to kill weeds before planting, Roundup Ready volunteers
are left behind, causing extra expense to rid their fields of the weeds.
In a closely followed legal battle, the Supreme Court of Canada
found in favor of Monsanto's patent infringement
claim for unlicensed growing of Roundup Ready in its 2004 ruling on Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser
. The case garnered international controversy as a court-sanctioned legitimation for the global patent protection of genetically modified crops. However, Schmeiser was not required to pay damages, as he did not benefit financially from the GMO crop in his field.
In March 2008, an out-of-court settlement between Monsanto and Schmeiser has an agreement for Monsanto to clean up the entire GMO-canola
crop on Schmeiser's farm at a cost of $660.
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
s, canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
) is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae, a medium sized and economically important family of flowering plants , are informally known as the mustards, mustard flowers, the crucifers or the cabbage family....
(mustard or cabbage family). The name derives from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for turnip
Turnip
The turnip or white turnip is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock...
, rāpa or rāpum, and is first recorded in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
at the end of the 14th century. Older writers usually distinguished the turnip and rape by the adjectives round and long(-rooted) respectively. See also Brassica napobrassica, which may be considered a variety of Brassica napus. Some botanists include the closely related Brassica campestris within B. napus. (See Triangle of U
Triangle of U
The Triangle of U is a theory about the evolution and relationships between members of the plant genus Brassica. The theory states that the genomes of three ancestral species of Brassica combined to create three of the common contemporary vegetables and oilseed crop species...
). Rapeseed was the third leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000.
Cultivation and uses
In agriculture, canola is the name given to certain varieties of rapeseed oil, or the oil produced from those varieties. Canola is a trademark for a hybrid variety of rape initially bred in Canada. Rapeseed oil was produced in the 19th century as a source of a lubricant for steam engines. It was less useful as food for animals or humans because it has a bitter taste due to high levels of glucosinolateGlucosinolate
The glucosinolates are a class of organic compounds that contain sulfur and nitrogen and are derived from glucose and an amino acid. They occur as secondary metabolites of almost all plants of the order Brassicales , but also in the genus Drypetes .-Chemistry:Glucosinolates are water-soluble...
s. Canola has been bred to reduce the amount of glucosinolates, yielding a more palatable oil. This has had the side-effect that the oil contains much less erucic acid
Erucic acid
Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, denoted 22:1 ω-9. It has the formula CH37CH=CH11COOH. It is prevalent in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed, making up 40-50% of their oils...
.
Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed
Compound feed
Compound feeds are feedstuffs that are blended from various raw materials and additives. These blends are formulated according to the specific requirements of the target animal...
, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel
Biodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
; leading producers include the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In India, it is grown on 13% of cropped land. According to the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
, rapeseed was the third leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000, after soybean
Soybean
The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses...
and oil palm
Oil palm
The oil palms comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family. They are used in commercial agriculture in the production of palm oil. The African Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis is native to West Africa, occurring between Angola and Gambia, while the American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera is native to...
, and also the world's second leading source of protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
meal, although only one-fifth of the production of the leading soybean meal.
World production is growing rapidly, with FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
reporting that 36 million tonnes of rapeseed was produced in the 2003-2004 season, and estimates of 58.4 million tonnes in the 2010-2011 season. In Europe, rapeseed is primarily cultivated for animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
feed
Compound feed
Compound feeds are feedstuffs that are blended from various raw materials and additives. These blends are formulated according to the specific requirements of the target animal...
, owing to its very high lipid
Lipid
Lipids constitute a broad group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins , monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others...
and medium protein content, and is a leading option for Europeans to avoid importation of genetically modified organism
Genetically modified organism
A genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one...
(GMO) products.
Erucic acid
Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, denoted 22:1 ω-9. It has the formula CH37CH=CH11COOH. It is prevalent in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed, making up 40-50% of their oils...
. Wild type seeds also contain high levels of glucosinolates (mustard oil glucosindes), chemical compounds that significantly lowered the nutritional value of rape seed press cakes for animal feed. Canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
, originally a syncopated form of the abbreviation "Can.O., L-A." (Canadian Oilseed, Low-Acid) that was used by the Manitoba government to label the seed during its experimental stages, is now a tradename for "double low" (low erucic acid and low glucosinolate) rapeseed. Sometimes the "Canola-quality" label is affixed to other varieties as well.
The rapeseed is the valuable, harvested component of the crop. The crop is also grown as a winter-cover crop
Cover crop
Cover crops are crops planted primarily to manage soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife in agroecosystems , ecological systems managed and largely shaped by humans across a range of intensities to produce food, feed, or fiber.Cover crops are of...
. It provides good coverage of the soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
in winter, and limits nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
run-off. The plant is ploughed back in the soil or used as bedding. On some ecological or organic
Organic farming
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
operations, livestock such as sheep or cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
are allowed to graze on the plants.
Processing of rapeseed for oil production produces rapeseed meal as a by-product. The by-product is a high-protein animal feed, competitive with soya
Soybean
The soybean or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses...
. The feed is mostly employed for cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
feeding, but also for pig
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives...
s and chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
s (though less valuable for these). The meal has a very low content of the glucosinolates responsible for metabolism disruption in cattle and pigs.
Rapeseed "oil cake" is also used as a fertilizer in China, and may be used for ornamentals, such as Bonsai, as well.
Rapeseed leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
and stems are also edible, similar to those of the related bok choy or kale
Kale
Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium. Kale, as with broccoli and other brassicas, contains sulforaphane , a chemical with potent anti-cancer properties. Boiling decreases the level of sulforaphane; however, steaming,...
. Some varieties of rapeseed (called 油菜, yóu cài, lit. "oil vegetable" in Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
; yau choy in Cantonese; cải dầu in Vietnamese
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
; phak kat kan khao [ผักกาดก้านขาว] in Thai; and nanohana [菜の花]/nabana [菜花] in Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
) are sold as greens, primarily in Asian groceries, including those in California where it is known as yao choy or tender greens. They are eaten as sag (spinach) in Indian and Nepalese cuisine, usually stir-fried with salt, garlic and spices.
Rapeseed produces great amounts of nectar, and honeybees produce a light colored, but peppery honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
from it. It must be extracted immediately after processing is finished, as it will quickly granulate in the honeycomb
Honeycomb
A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal waxcells built by honey bees in their nests to contain their larvae and stores of honey and pollen.Beekeepers may remove the entire honeycomb to harvest honey...
and will be impossible to extract. The honey is usually blended with milder honeys, if used for table use or sold as bakery
Bakery
A bakery is an establishment which produces and sells flour-based food baked in an oven such as bread, cakes, pastries and pies. Some retail bakeries are also cafés, serving coffee and tea to customers who wish to consume the baked goods on the premises.-See also:*Baker*Cake...
grade. Rapeseed growers contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
with beekeeper
Beekeeper
A beekeeper is a person who keeps honey bees for the purposes of securing commodities such as honey, beeswax, pollen, royal jelly; pollinating fruits and vegetables; raising queens and bees for sale to other farmers; and/or for purposes satisfying natural scientific curiosity...
s for the pollination of the crop.
"Total loss" chain and bar oil for chainsaws have been developed which are typically 70% or more canola/rapeseed oil. These lubricants are claimed to be less harmful to the environment and less hazardous to users than traditional mineral oil products, although they are currently typically 2-5 times more expensive, leading some to use inexpensive cooking oil instead. Some countries, such as Austria, have banned the use of petroleum-based chainsaw oil. These "bio-lubricants" are generally reported to be functionally comparable to traditional mineral oil products with some reports claiming one or other is superior, but with no overall consensus yet evident.
Biodiesel
Rapeseed oil is used in the manufacture of biodieselBiodiesel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil- or animal fat-based diesel fuel consisting of long-chain alkyl esters. Biodiesel is typically made by chemically reacting lipids with an alcohol....
for powering motor vehicles. Biodiesel may be used in pure form in newer engines without engine damage and is frequently combined with fossil-fuel diesel in ratios varying from 2% to 20% biodiesel. Formerly, owing to the costs of growing, crushing, and refining rapeseed biodiesel, rapeseed derived biodiesel cost more to produce than standard diesel fuel. Rapeseed oil is the preferred oil stock for biodiesel production in most of Europe, accounting for about 80% of the feedstock, partly because rapeseed produces more oil per unit of land area compared to other oil sources, such as soy beans. The majority of European cars and trucks run on diesel fuel and an estimated 66% of total rapeseed oil supply in the European Union is expected to be used for biodiesel production in the 2010-2011 year.
Rapeseed is currently grown with a high level of nitrogen-containing fertilisers, and the manufacture of these generates N2O
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...
, a potent greenhouse gas with 296 times the global warming potential of CO2
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
. It has been estimated that 3-5% of nitrogen provided as fertilizer for rapeseed is converted to N2O.
Health effects
Food-grade canola oil is generally recognized as safeGenerally recognized as safe
Generally recognized as safe is an American Food and Drug Administration designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act food additive tolerance requirements.-History:On January 1, 1958,...
by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Rapeseed oil contains both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in a ratio of 2:1, although flax oil
Flax
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...
is higher in omega-3 fatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acid
N−3 fatty acids are essential unsaturated fatty acids with a double bond starting after the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain....
, as are other oils such as chia (Salvia hispanica
Salvia hispanica
Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The 16th century Codex Mendoza provides evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times; it has been said that it was an...
) oil. Canola oil's proponents claim that it is one of the most heart-healthy oils and has been reported to reduce cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
levels, lower serum tryglyceride levels, and keep platelets from sticking together. While only very long chain omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve cholesterol levels, and these are absent from most plant foods, the body can convert some of the short chain into long chain omega 3's.
Rapeseed
Rapeseed
Rapeseed , also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae...
oil can contain up to 45% erucic acid
Erucic acid
Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, denoted 22:1 ω-9. It has the formula CH37CH=CH11COOH. It is prevalent in rapeseed, wallflower seed, and mustard seed, making up 40-50% of their oils...
, a known toxin. Food grade rapeseed oil (also known as canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
oil, rapeseed 00 oil, low erucic acid rapeseed oil, LEAR oil, and rapeseed canola-equivalent oil) is limited by government regulation to a maximum of 2% erucic acid by weight in the USA and 5% in the EU, with special regulations for infant food. These low levels of erucic acid are not believed to cause harm in humans.
In 1981 there was a deadly outbreak of disease in Spain, known as toxic oil syndrome
Toxic oil syndrome
Toxic Oil Syndrome or simply Toxic Syndrome was the name given to a disease outbreak in Spain in 1981, which killed over 600 people. Its first appearance was as a lung disease, with unusual features: though the symptoms initially resembled a lung infection, antibiotics were ineffective...
, which has been attributed to the consumption of rapeseed oil for industrial use that was fraudulently sold as cooking oil.
Allergen
An allergen is any substance that can cause an allergy. In technical terms, an allergen is a non-parasitic antigen capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivity reaction in atopic individuals....
s. Whether rape pollen causes hay fever
Hay Fever
Hay Fever is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925 with Marie Tempest as the first Judith Bliss. Laura Hope Crews played the role in New York...
has not been well established because rape is an insect pollinated (entomophilous) crop, whereas hay fever is usually caused by wind pollinated plants. It has been suggested that the inhalation of oilseed rape dust may cause asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
in agricultural workers.
Production
Worldwide production of rapeseed (including canola) has increased sixfold between 1975 and 2007. The production of canola and rapeseed 00 since 1975 has opened up the edible oil market for rapeseed oil. Since 2002 production of biodiesel has been steadily increasing in EU and USA to 6 million metric tons in 2006. Rapeseed oil is positioned to supply a good portion of the vegetable oils needed to produce that diesel. World production is thus expected to trend further upward over between 2005 and 2015 as biodiesel content requirements in Europe go into effect. Every ton of rapeseed yields about 400kg of oil.| Country | 1965 | 1975 | 1985 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 1.5 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 11.3 | 13.0 | 10.5 | 13.5 | |
| 0.5 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 6.4 | 7.2 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 11.8 | |
| 1.5 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 7.2 | |
| 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | |
| 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5.6 | |
| 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | |
| <0.007 | 0.06 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.0 | |
| <0.007 | <0.06 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.9 | |
| <0.007 | <0.06 | <0.03 | <0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.9 | |
| 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.1 | |
| <0.007 | <0.06 | <0.03 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | |
| 0.05 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | |
| 0.008 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | |
| 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | |
| World Total | 5.2 | 8.8 | 19.2 | 34.2 | 39.5 | 46.4 | 50.5 | 61.6 |
| Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) |
||||||||
Animal pests
- A Pollen beetle species (Meligethes aeneusMeligethes aeneusMeligethes aeneus is an abundant pollen beetle in the United Kingdom. M. aenus is an important pest of oilseed rape. It is unknown if it contributes to the pollination of the crop. Adults are about 2-3 mm long, 1-2 mm wide and black with a hint of metallic green. The larvae are up to 3 mm long and...
) - Harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica)
- Flea beetleFlea beetleFlea beetles is a general name applied to the small, jumping beetles of the leaf beetle family . They make up the tribe Alticini, which is a part of the subfamily Galerucinae, though they were historically classified as a subfamily in their own right...
s (Phyllotreta sp.) - Diamondback mothDiamondback mothThe diamondback moth , sometimes called cabbage moth, is a European moth believed to originate in the Mediterranean region that has since spread worldwide. The moth has a short life cycle , is highly fecund and capable of migrating long distances...
s (Plutella xylostella) - Bertha armyworms (MamestraMamestraMamestra is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family. Perhaps the best known species is the Cabbage Moth, M. brassicae.-Species:* Mamestra brassicae * Mamestra configurata Walker, 1856* Mamestra curialis...
configurata) - Root maggots (Delia sp.)
- GrasshopperGrasshopperThe grasshopper is an insect of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. To distinguish it from bush crickets or katydids, it is sometimes referred to as the short-horned grasshopper...
s (order Orthoptera) - Lygus bugs (Lygus)
- Bronzed field beetle (Adelium brevicorne) larvae
- SnailSnailSnail is a common name applied to most of the members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. When the word is used in its most general sense, it includes sea snails, land snails and freshwater snails. The word snail without any qualifier is however more often...
s and slugSlugSlug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
s - Cyst nematodeHeterodera schachtiiHeterodera schachtii is a plant pathogenic nematode. It infects more than 200 different plants including economically important crops such as sugar beets, cabbage, broccoli, and radish. H. schachtii is found worldwide. Affected plants are marked by stunted growth, wilting, yellowing, decreased...
(Heterodera schachtii)
Diseases
- Beet western yellows virusBeet western yellows virusBeet western yellows virus is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Luteoviridae.-External links:**...
(Luteoviridae family) - Blackleg (caused by the fungusFungusA fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
species Leptosphaeria maculansLeptosphaeria maculansLeptosphaeria maculans is a fungal pathogen that is the causal agent of blackleg disease on Brassica crops. The major yield loss is due to stem canker....
) - ClubrootClubrootClubroot is a common disease of cabbages, radishes, turnips and other plants belonging to the family Cruciferae . It is caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, which was once considered a slime mold but is now put in the group Phytomyxea. It has as many as nine races. Gall formation or distortion takes...
(caused by the protistProtistProtists are a diverse group of eukaryotic microorganisms. Historically, protists were treated as the kingdom Protista, which includes mostly unicellular organisms that do not fit into the other kingdoms, but this group is contested in modern taxonomy...
Plasmodiophora brassicae) - Sclerotinia white stem rot (caused by the fungus genus SclerotiniaSclerotiniaSclerotinia is a genus of fungi in the family Sclerotiniaceae. The widely distributed species contains 14 species....
) - White rust disease (caused by the fungus species Albugo candidaAlbugo candidaWhite rust, Albugo candida is a species from family Albuginaceae; however, all the other species in this family are called "white rust." Like other water moulds which are plant pathogens, it is sometimes called a fungus, although water moulds are not classified in the kingdom Fungi.Synonyms:*...
)
Genome sequencing and genetics
Bayer Cropscience (in collaboration with BGI-Shenzhen, China, Keygene N.V., the Netherlands and the University of Queensland, Australia) announced it had sequenced the entire genome of Brassica napus and its constituent genomes present in Brassica rapaBrassica rapa
Brassica rapa L. , commonly known as turnip, turnip rape, field mustard or turnip mustard is a plant widely cultivated as a leaf vegetable , a root vegetable , and an oilseed .In the 18th century the turnip and...
and Brassica oleracea
Brassica oleracea
Brassica oleracea, or wild cabbage, is a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe, where its tolerance of salt and lime and its intolerance of competition from other plants typically restrict its natural occurrence to limestone sea cliffs, like the chalk cliffs on both...
in 2009. The "A" genome component of the amphidiploid Rapeseed species B. napus is currently being sequenced by the Multinational Brassica Genome Project.
GM controversy
The Monsanto Company has genetically engineeredGenetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
new cultivars of rapeseed that are resistant to the effects of its herbicide
Herbicide
Herbicides, also commonly known as weedkillers, are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic "imitations" of plant...
Roundup. They have sought compensation from farmers found to have the Roundup Ready gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
in Canola in their fields without paying a license fee. These farmers have claimed the Roundup Ready gene was blown into their fields and crossed with unaltered Canola. Other farmers claim that after spraying Roundup in non-Canola fields to kill weeds before planting, Roundup Ready volunteers
Volunteer (botany)
In gardening and botanical terminology, a volunteer is a plant that grows on its own, rather than being deliberately planted by a farmer or gardener...
are left behind, causing extra expense to rid their fields of the weeds.
In a closely followed legal battle, the Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
found in favor of Monsanto's patent infringement
Patent infringement
Patent infringement is the commission of a prohibited act with respect to a patented invention without permission from the patent holder. Permission may typically be granted in the form of a license. The definition of patent infringement may vary by jurisdiction, but it typically includes using or...
claim for unlicensed growing of Roundup Ready in its 2004 ruling on Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser
Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser
Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser [2004] 1 S.C.R. 902, 2004 SCC 34 is a leading Supreme Court of Canada case on patent rights for biotechnology. The court heard the question of whether growing genetically modified plants constitutes "use" of the patented invention of genetically modified plant...
. The case garnered international controversy as a court-sanctioned legitimation for the global patent protection of genetically modified crops. However, Schmeiser was not required to pay damages, as he did not benefit financially from the GMO crop in his field.
In March 2008, an out-of-court settlement between Monsanto and Schmeiser has an agreement for Monsanto to clean up the entire GMO-canola
Canola
Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed or Field Mustard . Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R...
crop on Schmeiser's farm at a cost of $660.
External links
- PROTAbase on Brassica napus
- Canola Council on truth and myths about Canola
- Origins of Canola oil is toxic falsehood.
- Extracting and refining rapeseed oil
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (05-Dec-2001).Consensus Document on Key Nutrients and Key Toxicants in Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed (Canola). ENV/JM/MONO(2001)13. Retrieved 2006-11-27
- University of Melbourne (1999) Multilingual multiscript plant name database. Brassica names. General Botanical Index. Retrieved 2006-11-27
- Oilseed rape: Biosafety research funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) - Overview
- CanolaInfo
- BBC Radio 4 Food Programme on rapeseed oil