Quality of Canadian Soybean, oilseed-type 2020

Fatty acid composition

Table 4 shows fatty acid composition for the combined No. 1 and 2 grade composites from the various provinces. Linolenic acid (C18:2), the main fatty acid found in soybean oil, averaged 54.9%, whereas last year’s average was 55.5%. Oleic acid, the second most important fatty acid in soybeans, averaged 20.3% in 2020, which was much higher than the 2019 value of 18.8%. The other important unsaturated fatty acid, α-Linolenic acid (C18:3), averaged 8.8% (9.9% in 2019). Total saturates averaged 15.2% in Canada, varying from 14.7% (Quebec) to 15.4% (Ontario).

Table 4: Main fatty acid contents and iodine value of oil in the 2020 soybean survey by province and grade
Province Number
of samples		 C16:0 C18:0 C18:1 C18:2 C18:3 SATSFootnote 1 Iodine Value,
UnitsFootnote 2
    %, in oil  
Soybean, No. 1 Canada and Soybean No. 2 Canada
Manitoba 180 10.2 4.0 20.1 54.9 9.1 15.1 136.4
Saskatchewan 8 10.0 4.2 20.4 54.5 9.0 15.2 135.9
Western Canada 188 10.2 4.0 20.1 54.9 9.1 15.1 136.4
Ontario 220 10.6 4.0 20.8 54.5 8.5 15.4 134.9
Québec 35 10.6 3.4 18.9 56.0 9.4 14.7 138.3
Eastern CanadaFootnote 3 255 10.6 3.9 20.5 54.7 8.6 15.3 135.3
Prince Edward Island 6 10.2 3.7 19.5 56.5 8.5 14.7 137.1
New Brunswick 15 10.2 4.0 19.4 56.1 8.4 15.2 136.3
Maritimes 21 10.2 3.9 19.5 56.2 8.4 15.0 136.5
Canada 464 10.4 3.9 20.3 54.9 8.8 15.2 135.8
Soybean, No. 3
Western Canada 19 10.0 3.8 19.5 55.6 9.4 14.7 137.9
Eastern Canada 7 10.8 4.1 18.8 55.1 9.4 15.8 136.5
Canada 26 10.2 3.9 19.3 55.5 9.4 15.0 137.5
Soybean, No. 4
Western Canada 5 10.0 4.1 20.2 54.8 9.0 15.1 136.1
Eastern Canada 3 10.0 3.7 19.8 56.9 8.0 14.4 137.0
Canada 8 10.0 4.0 20.1 55.6 8.6 14.8 136.4
Soybean, No. 5
Western Canada 6 10.0 4.1 19.8 54.6 9.8 15.0 137.3
Eastern Canada NAFootnote 4              
Canada 6 10.0 4.1 19.8 54.6 9.8 15.0 137.3
Soybean, Sample
Western Canada 2 9.5 4.2 22.6 53.5 8.3 14.7 134.2
Eastern Canada NA              
Canada 2 9.5 4.2 22.6 53.5 8.3 14.7 134.2

Iodine value estimates the level of fatty acid unsaturation in oil. The higher the number of double bonds in the oil, the higher the iodine value and the level of unsaturation. For 2020, both α-Linolenic acid and linoleic acid averages were lower than last year, hence the lower iodine values compared to last year (135.8 units in 2020 versus 138.5 units in 2019). Figure 5 presents the iodine value trend since 2006 for eastern Canada, western Canada and the overall Canadian averages. The yearly variations are a reflection of the environmental differences that includes geography (e.g. difference in temperature and precipitation).

Figure 5: Oil iodine value averages of Canadian oilseed-type soybeans, 2006 to 2020

Figure 5: Oil iodine value averages of Canadian oilseed-type soybeans, 2006 to 2020
  • Details
    Figure 5: Oil iodine value averages of Canadian oilseed-type soybeans, 2006 to 2020
    Region 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
    Western Canada 132.9 137.6 138.1 137.8 139.2 132.4 131.2 134.0 140.0 134.5 136.4 134.7 132.4 138.8 136.4
    Eastern Canada 138.6 132.8 135.0 137.0 133.6 136.1 132.4 134.2 136.5 133.3 132.0 138.0 133.8 138.3 135.4
    Canada 137.7 133.6 135.7 137.2 135.4 134.6 132.1 134.1 137.5 133.7 133.2 137.0 133.5 138.5 135.8

There is no requirement to control the fatty acid composition of the Canadian oilseed-type soybeans. Therefore, varieties can show large variation in the fatty acid composition. These variations are amplified as weather also plays a part in year-to-year fatty composition changes. In hot and dry weather conditions, seeds tend to produce an oil with more saturation. For example, seeds will produce less polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as α-Linolenic linolenic and linoleic acids, and more total saturates and oleic acids. The opposite is observed if seeds are grown in cool conditions.