The effect of freezing on the analysis of chlorophyll content of canola seed (Brassica napus L.)

High levels of chlorophyll in harvested canola seed result in loss of revenue to producers and problems for processors. Studies on chlorophyll degradation often require plant material to be stored for some time prior to measuring the chlorophyll content. Storage of unripe canola seed in a freezer for up to one month prior to measuring the chlorophyll content did not alter the chlorophyll level in the seed. Seeds were frozen while still in the pods as well as after removal with no change in chlorophyll content over time.     

Chlorophyllase biocatalysis in an aqueous/miscible organic solvent medium containing canola oil

Chlorophyllase catalyzes the bioconversion of chlorophyll into chlorophyllide by replacing the phytol group with a hydrogen atom. There is an increased interest in the biotechnological application of chlorophyllase for the removal of green pigments from edible oil and its potential as an alternative to the use of the conventional bleaching technique. Partially purified chlorophyllase, obtained from the alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum, was assayed for its hydrolytic activity in an aqueous/miscible organic solvent system containing refined-bleached-deodorized (RBD) canola oil, using chlorophyll and pheophytin as substrate models. The results indicated that chlorophyllase biocatalysis could be successfully carried out in an aqueous/miscible organic system containing RBD canola oil. The presence of 20% RBD canola oil decreased the hydrolytic activity of chlorophyllase by 2.2 and 6.7 times, using chlorophyll and pheophytin as substrates, respectively. In addition, acetone acted as an activator of chlorophyllase activity at low concentrations and an inhibitor at higher ones. The optimal reaction conditions for chlorophyllase biocatalysis in the aqueous/miscible organic system were determined to consist of 20% RBD oil and 10% acetone at a 200 rpm agitation speed and at a temperature and substrate concentration of 35°C and 12.6 μM for chlorophyll, and 30°C and 9.3 μM for pheophytin.     

Chemical and enzymatic interesterification of tristearin/ triolein-rich blends: Chemical composition,solid fat content and thermal properties

Blends of high-oleic sunflower oil and fully hydrogenated canola oil were subjected to enzymatic and chemical interesterification using Candida antarctica lipase (5%) and sodium methoxide (0.3%), respectively. The effect of each interesterification process was determined by comparing the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, solid fat content (SFC) profiles and thermal properties of the blends before and after interesterification. Interesterification resulted in a decrease in the concentration of triunsaturated and trisaturated TAG and an increase in the proportion of mono- and disaturated TAG. These alterations in TAG composition and the presence of a greater variety of TAG species upon interesterification was correlated with a broader melting transition by differential scanning calorimetry and, ultimately, a lower melting point for the interesterified blends. Much broader ranges in plasticity were observed for the interesterified blends (chemically and enzymatically) compared to the physical blends. Even though ideal solubility of stearin in oil was observed, the value predicted by the Hildebrand model was higher than the actual amount. Crystallization kinetic parameters (Avrami index and rate constant) were similar for the non-interesterified, enzymatically interesterified and chemically interesterified blends when compared as a function of SFC. Results from this work will aid in the formulation of more healthy fat and oil products and address a critical industrial demand in terms of formulation options for spreads, margarines and shortenings.     

Pilot-scale two-phase extraction of canola

An extraction process was developed in our laboratory for rapeseed (canola) with 10% (w/w) ammonia in methanol, containing 5% (vol/vol) water, and hexane to simultaneously produce an improved meal and a high-quality oil. To remove the hazards associated with the use of ammonia, a two-phase solvent extraction, with 0.08% (w/w) sodium hydroxide replacing the ammonia, was tested on a semipilot scale with a Szego mill and a Karr reciprocating-plate extraction column. Flooding curves and appropriate agitation parameters were examined for this system. Then, the effects of polar solvent-to-seed ratio, slurry-to-hexane flow ratio, plate amplitude and plate agitation frequency on extraction efficiency were investigated. The process is technically viable for industrial application. A meal that contained 0.9% residual oil, 44.4% protein and 2.79 mmol/kg glucosinolates (moisture and oil-free basis) and a miscella with 19.5% oil were obtained.     

The effects of long-term storage on the cold flow properties and viscosity of canola-based biodiesel

In this study, the effects of long-term storage on the viscosity and cold flow properties of biodiesel were investigated. Canola oil with a high content of unsaturated fatty acid was used to produce biodiesel in the experiments. Biodiesel sample was kept in ordinary atmospheric storage conditions for 6 months. The samples were taken from the biodiesel feedstock in every 30 days and cold flow properties and kinematic viscosity of the samples were measured. During 6-month storage, no significant deterioration was observed in cold flow properties and kinematic viscosity of biodiesel. Additionally, the same pour point (PP) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) values (?11°C) were obtained during this period.     

Response of lactating dairy cows to high protein distillers grains or 3 other protein supplements

This study compared high protein dried distillers grains (HPDDG) with soybean meal (SBM), canola meal (CM), and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) as protein supplements in dairy diets. A lactation trial used 12 multiparous cows averaging 78 d in milk at the start of the experiment in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Weeks 1 and 2 of each period were used for adjustment and wk 3 and 4 for data collection. Each treatment diet consisted of 55% forage and one of the 4 protein supplements in a concentrate mix. Total mixed diets averaged 15.3% crude protein, with 38% of the protein from one of the 4 protein supplements. Dry matter intake (24.4 kg/d) and crude protein intake (3.57 kg/d) were similar for all 4 diets. Milk production (31.8 kg/d), protein yield (1.05 kg/d), fat yield (1.29 kg/d), and protein percentage (3.31) were similar for all 4 treatment diets. Milk fat percentage was lower when fed DDGS (3.78) than when fed SBM or HPDDG (4.21), but similar with CM (4.07). Feed efficiency (1.44 kg of energy-corrected milk/kg of dry matter intake) and nitrogen efficiency (0.29) were not affected by diet. Total milk nitrogen and true milk protein were highest when fed the HPDDG diet. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and the acetate to propionate ratio in ruminal contents and ruminal ammonia concentrations were similar for all diets. Arterial and venous concentrations of total essential AA tended to be lower when fed CM, reflecting lower concentrations of His, Ile, Leu, and Val when fed the CM diet. Extraction efficiency of AA from blood by the mammary gland indicated that Met was the first limiting AA when fed the SBM diet, whereas Lys was first limiting for the other diets. Phenylalanine was third limiting with all diets. Feeding HPDDG was equally as effective as feeding SBM, CM, and regular distillers grains as a protein supplement for lactating cows.     

Nutrient digestibility and performance of broiler chickens fed regular or green canola biodiesel press cakes produced using a micro‐scale process

BACKGROUND: World interest in biodiesel production from canola seed is expanding. There is little information on the nutritive value of biodiesel by‐products produced from micro‐scale production processes. Hence this trial was conducted to determine the nutritional value of regular and green canola biodiesel press cake for broilers. RESULTS: The digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, and nitrogen retention were higher (P < 0.05) for birds fed regular or green canola press cake compared with canola meal. Ether extract digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for birds fed regular press cake than canola meal, while green press cake and canola meal did not differ. There was no improvement in body weight gain (P > 0.05), while feed conversion was only modestly improved (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of regular or green canola press cake. CONCLUSIONS: Since the performance of broilers fed canola biodiesel press cakes was similar to those fed canola meal, it is difficult to justify a premium to be paid for canola press cake over canola meal. In addition, there was no difference in the performance of broilers fed biodiesel press cake obtained from green or regular canola seed. As green seeds are generally available at a lower price than regular seed, there may be some incentive to choose green canola seed for producing biodiesel and biodiesel press cake for use in poultry production. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Heat- and lignosulfonate-treated canola meal as a source of ruminal undegradable protein for lactating dairy cows

This experiment used 18 lactating Holstein cows in a 3 x 3 Latin square replicated 6 times to determine the effectiveness of processing with moist heat or moist heat combined with lignosulfonate (LSO3) for increasing the ruminal undegradable fraction of canola meal for use as a protein supplement for lactating dairy cows. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and contained one of 3 forms of canola meal; untreated canola meal (UCM), heat-treated canola meal (HTCM) or heat-and LSO3-treated canola meal (LSO3CM). Total collection of urine and feces was taken from each cow during the last 5 d of each 42-d experimental period. Milk production was greater for cows fed the LSO3CM diet (36.6 kg/d) than for cows fed the UCM diet (34.8 kg/d) but did not differ from cows fed the HTCM diet (35.3 kg/d). Digestibility of crude protein was lower for cows supplemented with LSO3CM and they had reduced concentrations of ruminal ammonia N, blood urea N, and milk urea N compared with cows supplemented with UCM or HTCM. Dry matter intake and apparent digestibilities of neutral and acid detergent fiber were increased in cows fed the LSO3CM diet. Urinary N excretion (as % of N intake) was reduced in cows fed the LSO3CM diet. These results indicate that moist heat combined with LSO3 treatment of canola meal was effective in increasing the proportion of crude protein digested in the lower digestive tract of lactating cows and was therefore used more effectively as a source of protein than UCM or HTCM.     

Rheological and Microstructural Characteristics of Canola Protein Isolate−Chitosan Complex Coacervates

Wastage of byproducts such as canola meal is a pressing environmental concern, and canola protein isolate (CPI)?chitosan (Ch) coacervates have a good potential to utilize and convert the wastes into a high value added product. Yet so far, there is very limited rheological and microstructural information to assist in proper utilization of CPI ‐Ch complex coacervates. The rheological and microstructural properties of the complex coacervates formed from CPI and chitosan Ch at various CPI‐to‐Ch mixing ratios (1:1, 16:1, 20:1, and 30:1) and pH values (5.0, 6.0, and 7.0) were therefore investigated. These CPI?Ch complex coacervate phases were found to exhibit elastic behavior as evidenced by significantly higher elastic modulus (G?) compared to viscous modulus (G″) in all the tested ratios and pH ranges. They also exhibited shear‐thinning behavior during viscous flow. The complex coacervates formed at the optimum CPI‐to‐Ch ratio of 16:1 and pH of 6.0 demonstrated the highest G?, G″, and shear viscosity, which correlated well with the high strength of electrostatic interaction and thick‐walled, sponge‐like, less‐porous microstructure at this condition. The higher shear viscosity of the coacervate at pH 6.0 was most likely induced by stronger attractive electrostatic interactions between CPI and Ch molecules, due to the formation of a rather densely packed complex coacervate structure. Hence, it can be concluded that the microstructural observations of denser structure correlated well with the rheological findings of stronger intermolecular bonds at the optimum CPI‐to‐Ch ratio of 16:1 and pH of 6.0. The complex coacervate phase formed at a CPI‐to‐Ch ratio of 16:1 and pH of 6.0 also showed glassy consistency at low temperatures and rubbery consistency above its glass‐transition temperature. This study identified the potential for the newly developed CPI–Ch complex coacervate to be used as an encapsulating material due to its favorable strength. This would drastically reduce the wastage of byproducts, provide a solution to tackle the pressing global issue of wastage of byproducts, and bring about a more environmentally friendly paradigm.