Rapeseed quality improvement according to survey in Yangtse valley of China

摘要

Yangtse valley has been the largest rapeseed production area in the world. Rapeseed quality and safety status in the valley influence the development of new cultivars and processing factors demanded by the end-user. This study was undertaken to compare quality improvement based on the data collected from the quality survey programs. Harvest survey in Yangtse valley was carried out by Quality and safety Inspection and Test Center for Oilseeds Products of Agriculture Ministry of China (QITCOP) from 2002 to 2006. The analytical data presented were for all grades. All oil and glucosinolate content values were expressed on dry base in order to pernit annual comparisons. About 300 samples were analyzed every year. Samples for the rapeseed harvest survey were collected from producers, crushing plants and grain handling officers across the Yangtse valley. These samples were cleaned to remove foreign matter prior to testing. Individual harvest sample are analyzed for oil, erucic acid and total glucosinolates using ISO reference method and national standard methods. Harvest survey data for quality in the Yangtse valley oilseeds showed the yearly fluctuations in all quality parameters. Over the last 5-year period, the rapeseed quality of Chinese Yangtse valley has been gradually improved. Compared to 2002, the mean oil content of rapeseed in 2004 was as high as 42.7%, which was 1.7% higher than that in 2002. And the mean erucic acid was 3.14%, the mean glucosinolates in meal was 35.67μmol/g, which were both significantly lower than those in 2002.