Canola could provide a new fat on the farm

摘要

Healthier margarine is on its way. Researchers at Calgene in Davis, Calif., have genetically engineered canola plants to make large amounts of a saturated fat called stearic acid. A solid at room temperature, stearic acid is used to make margarine, chocolate, baked goods, and many other foods. Food manufacturers need saturated fat to keep margarine solid at room temperature, and stearic acid is the only one in use that doesn't raise blood cholesterol concentrations (SN: 12/24&31/94, p. 442). Canola oil naturally contains just 1 percent stearic acid.