Canola Seed, Oil, Meal – What is Canola?
Canola is a relatively new crop in the U.S. and currently occupies approximately one million acres of cropland annually. The word “Can-o-l-a” is derived from “Canada-Oil-low acid” following selective breeding for lines of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa that contained less than 2% euricic acid and less than 30 micromoles of glucosinolates.
Canola seeds contain 40% to 46% oil with the remainder of the seed being processed into canola meal, a high-protein livestock feed. The oil also can be used as a feedstock for Biodiesel.
Canola Oil has the lowest saturated fat and highest unsaturated fat of all vegetable oil, it is cholesterol-free and is a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.
Canola oil contains linoleic acid (LA omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA omega-3) essential fatty acids at 2:1, making it as one of the healthiest cooking oils, being only second to flax for omega-3 levels. It has been shown through studies that the ALA found in canola oil has a positive effect on cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation and comes with FDA-approved health claims stating its effectiveness in reducing heart disease risk.
Difference between Canola & Industrial Rapeseed
Differentials in oil and meal derived from canola, industrial rapeseed (H.E.A.R) and other members of the diverse Brassica family are outlined in a letter sent to all U.S. Departments to increase awareness in all U.S. states.