Canola quality rapeseed mustard is better for human health

摘要

Studies have shown that oils rich in erucic acid are not desirable for edible purposes as these cause thickening of arteries and lead to heart problems. PAU has developed canola quality raya and gobhi sarson which have almost negligible amounts of these harmful seeds. They are nutritionally much superior as compared to traditionally grown cultivars.Raya, gobhi sarson and toria, also known as rapeseed and mustard, are important oilseed crops grown in Punjab during winter season. Since ages, these crops are a major source of fats of vegetable origin. The small seed of these crops contains about 38 -44 per cent oil which is primarily used for edible purposes whereas defatted residue, known also as seed meal, is used as animal feed. Rapeseed-mustard varieties cultivated prior to 2002 in India used to contain high proportion of erucic and eicosenoic acids in oil, and undesirable sulphur compounds known as glucosinolates in seed meal. Studies have shown that oils rich in erucic acid are not desirable for edible purposes as these cause thickening of arteries and lead to heart problems. Similarly, the defatted residue of non canola cultivars when used as animal feed reduce appetite, reproductivity and affect thyroid activity leading to thyroid associated health problems. PAU has developed raya and gobhi sarson genotypes which have almost negligible amounts of these harmful seed constituents. Such genotypes are known as canola or double zero ('00'). Elimination of long chain erucic acid in these genotypes has been accompanied by increase in the proportion ofdesirable oleic acid (MUFA) from 10-20 % to more than 50%. Thus oil and seed meal of canola genotypes is nutritionally superior as compared to traditionally grown non canola cultivars. In advanced countries only canola oil is used as edible oil. It is generally recommended by the nutritional experts due to low level of saturated fatty acids, high level of MUFA and desirable amounts of PUFA's. Nutritionally it is even superior to highly prized olive oil which is low in the content of PUFA's especially linolenic acid which is important component of cell membranes and nervous system. Defatted canola seed meal also contains very low amounts of glucosinolates (<30 pinoles per g) and thus is valuable animal feed.