Proteins from Canola/Rapeseed: Current status

Canola/rapeseed (Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, and Brassica juncea of canola quality) is the world's second-largest oilseed crop. The primary product of canola/rapeseed (C/RS) is vegetable oil (40% by seed weight) and the protein-rich meal (38% protein by meal weight) is a coproduct. Nutritionally, C/RS proteins are comparable with soybean and contain more S-amino acids than many other oilseed meals. Current knowledge on C/RS protein is extensive, however the main research emphasis in the past has been in the use of meal protein in animal feed rather than food-grade protein products. Customized processing interventions for C/RS are required to obtain a suitable protein for food use and current commercial oil extraction techniques amplify these challenges. To date, there has been limited effort to improve the C/RS protein quality or quantity through plant breeding compared to the efforts to improve oil quality and yield. The essential combination of economically competitive technologies, formulation of compatible food products and satisfactory scientific data for regulatory approval is needed for C/RS proteins to succeed as an ingredient in consumer foods.