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Quality of western Canadian canola, 2009
Summary
The 2009 western Canadian canola crop is characterized by higher oil (44.5 versus 43.4%) contents and, chlorophyll levels (15.4 versus 14.40 mg/kg), and lower protein contents (19.9 versus 21.6%) when compared to the 10-year means (1999 to 2008). Compared to 2008, the mean oil content of Canola, No. 1 Canada is similar, 44.5% versus 44.3% in 2008, while the mean protein content, 19.9%, is 0.9% lower. The mean chlorophyll content for Canola, No. 1 Canada is 15.4 mg/kg, notably higher than the 11 mg/kg in 2008. The 2009 canola crop is lower in oleic acid content, 62.2% but higher in α-linolenic acid (ALA) content (10.0%). For Canola, No. 1 Canada seed, the total saturated fatty acid content decreased slightly to 6.9%. This results in oil with a higher mean iodine value of 114 units. The erucic acid, 0.01%, and the total seed glucosinolates, 9.6 µmoles/gram, are similar to last year and well within canola specifications. The mean free fatty acid (FFA) levels in Canola, No. 1 Canada seed are significantly higher (0.15%) than those in the 2008 crop (0.10%). The 2009 canola crop shows regional differences in oil, protein and chlorophyll contents but not in fatty acid composition.
| Quality parameter | 2009 | 2008 | 1999-2008 Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 8.5% moisture basis | |||
| 2 N x 6.25, 8.5% moisture basis | |||
| 3 Total saturated fatty acids are the sum of palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), arachidic (C20:0), behenic (C22:0), and lignoceric (C24:0) | |||
| Oil content1, % | 44.5 | 44.3 | 43.4 |
| Protein content2, % | 19.9 | 20.8 | 21.6 |
| Oil-free protein2, % | 38.7 | 40.3 | 41 |
| Chlorophyll content, mg/kg in seed | 15.4 | 11 | 14.4 |
| Total glucosinolates1, µmoles/gram | 9.6 | 10.6 | 13.2 |
| Free fatty acids, % | 0.15 | 0.1 | 0.23 |
| Erucic acid, % in oil | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.1 |
| Linolenic acid, % in oil | 10.0 | 9.1 | 9.9 |
| Oleic acid, % in oil | 62.2 | 63.2 | 61.4 |
| Total saturated fatty acids3, % in oil | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Iodine value | 114 | 111 | 113 |
