Description
Rapeseed was once considered a specialty crop in Canada, but Canola
now has become a major American cash crop. Canada and the United
States produce between 7 and *0 million tonnes of canola seed per
year. Annual Canadian exports total 3 to 4 million tonnes of the
seed, **0,**0 tonnes of canola oil and 1 million tonnes of canola
meal. GM canola may not be grown in any of the countries banning
GMOs and some of those even ban importation of the end products.
Canola oil is made at a processing facility by crushing the
genetically modified rapeseed. Approximately *3% of a seed is oil.
What remains is a rapeseed meal that is tolerated by livestock and
has become a high quality animal feed. *2.*8 kilograms (*0 pounds)
of rapeseed makes approximately *0 liters (2.*4 US gallons) of
canola oil. Canola oil is a key ingredient in many foods. Its
reputation as a healthy oil has created high demand in markets
around the world; however, it may not be included in any products
labeled as "organic" because Canola is genetically modified and was
"designed" for routine use of herbicides during its production.Rape
is a tall plant of the brassica family (cabbages, mustards and
turnips are all members) that produces rich oil bearing seeds. It
has become popular with producers because it is a versatile crop
that has been accepted for human and animal use. It has pale yellow
flowers, which brighten the countryside in springtime.It is
increasingly used for biofuel production.
Rapeseed oil contains both branded*6 and branded*3 fatty acids in a
ratio of 2:1, although flax oil is higher in branded*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 branded*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
branded 3's.
Rapeseed oil is used in the manufacture of biodiesel 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 *0% 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 *0% of the
feedstock
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 *9th 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
glucosinolates. 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.
