Traditional and Emerging Feedstocks for Food and Industrial Bioproduct Manufacturing - Food and Industrial Bioproducts and Bioprocessing - page 15

Similar to the other edible oils rapeseed oil is primarily composed of TAG (90-99%).
The free fatty acid (FFA) content of oils is an indication of oil quality. High FFA content in
crude oil results in high refining losses. Canola and rapeseed oils may contain between 0.4
and 1.8% FFA (Przybylski et al ., 2005). Fatty acid composition of vegetable oils determines
their end use and health effects. Erucic acid (C22:1) reduction in rapeseed oil resulted in a
significant increase in oleic acid (C18:1) content. Presence of high levels of linolenic acid
(C18:3) reduces oxidative stability of oils. Canola varieties with low linolenic acid content
(2%) have been developed through breeding to increase oil stability. Other canola varieties
with modified fatty acid content include high oleic (60-85%), lauric (39%), stearic (C18:0)
(up to 40%), palmitic (C16:0) (10%) and gamma linolenic acids (up to 40%) (Przybylski
et al ., 2005). Canola oil contains significant amount of tocopherols (770 mg/kg), which
mainly consist of

-isomers. Total phytosterol content of canola oil is about 8.8 mg/kg.
Brassicasterol and campesterol are the major phytosterols present in canola and rapeseed oil
(Schwartz et al ., 2008 ).

α - and β

1.3.1.3 Utilization

Liquid canola oil is widely used in salad dressings and for cooking. In the United States
liquid canola is preferred in salad dressings because of its low saturated fatty content. Indeed
canola oil has the lowest saturated fatty acid content among the common vegetable oils. For
frying applications canola oil is lightly hydrogenated to improve its oxidative stability. Soft
(tub) and hard (stick) margarines, shortenings and baking and pastry margarines are also
produced with partially hydrogenated and liquid canola oil. In Canada high erucic acid
rapeseed oil is used only in special food applications. Fully hydrogenated oil is added to
peanut butter at 1-2% levels to prevent oiling (Przybylski et al ., 2005).
In Europe rapeseed growing countries, particularly Germany, Austria and France,
produce substantial amount of fatty acid methyl esters and use it as fuel (biodiesel). Use of
rapeseed-based methyl esters as solvent in paints and coatings is also increasing. Methyl
esters have a number of advantages as to petroleum-based solvents. They are biodegradable,
have very low volatility and viscosity and high flash point and good water wetting and
penetration properties. Because of its relatively low polyunsaturated fatty acid content
rapeseed oil is a better feedstock for base for engine oils, heat transfer and hydraulic fluids,
inks and demolding agents than soybean oil (Przybylski et al ., 2005). Erucamide, which is
derived from erucic acid and used as antiblock and slip-promoting agents in plastic film
production, is one of the most important utilization areas for HEAR oil (Murphy, 1996).
Brassylic and pelargonic acids derived from HEAR oil are used for polymer production
(nylon, polyester and melamine resin coatings).

1.3.2 Soybeans
1.3.2.1 Production

Cultivated soybean (Glycine max) originated in China. Today soybeans are widely grown
and utilized around the world. In 2008, about 231 million tonnes of soybeans were produced
globally (FAO, 2010). The United States leads the world soybean production, followed by
Brazil, Argentina and China (Table 1.2 ).
Variety selection is one of the most important considerations for crop production.
Maturity rating, yield, resistance or tolerance to disease, aphids, stand ability and soybean