Rapeseed

About: Rapeseed is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2945 publications have been published within this topic receiving 51790 citations. The topic is also known as: Brassica napus & rape.

Stomata and Xylem Vessels Traits Improved by Melatonin Application Contribute to Enhancing Salt Tolerance and Fatty Acid Composition of Brassica napus L. Plants

Abstract: Salinity stress is a limiting factor for the growth and yield quality of rapeseed. The potentiality of melatonin (MT; 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM) application as a seed priming agent in mediating K+/Na+ homeostasis and preventing the salinity stress mediated oxidative damage and photosynthetic inhibition was studied in two rapeseed cultivars. We found that 50 µM MT treatment imparted a very prominent impact on growth, metabolism of antioxidants, photosynthesis, osmolytes, secondary metabolites, yield, and fatty acids composition. Days required for appearance of first flower and 50% flowering were decreased by MT application. Exogenous MT treatment effectively decreased the oxidative damage by significantly declining the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide under saline and non-saline conditions, as reflected in lowered lipid peroxidation, heightened membrane stability, and up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Furthermore, MT application enhanced the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, relative water content, K+/Na+ homeostasis, soluble sugars, and proline content. Moreover, MT application obviously improved the oil quality of rapeseed cultivars by reducing glucosinolates, saturated fatty acids (palmitic and arachidic acids), and enhancing unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and oleic acids except erucic acid were reduced). Yield related-traits such as silique traits, seed yield per plant, 1000 seeds weight, seed oil content, and yield biomass traits were enhanced by MT application. The anatomical analysis of leaf and stem showed that stomatal and xylem vessels traits are associated with sodium chloride tolerance, yield, and seed fatty acid composition. These results suggest the supportive role of MT on the quality and quantity of rapeseed oil yield.

In-situ transesterification of rapeseed and cost indicators for biodiesel production

Abstract: In the present work the alkali in-situ transesterification of rapeseed with methanol for the production of biodiesel fuel was studied. Experiments were designed to determine how variations in molar ratio of methanol to oil in seeds, amount of alkali catalyst, time and temperature affected the yield. Good results (90%) conversion of seed lipid to fatty acid methyl ester was obtained at 0.02 N catalyst concentration, 720/1 methanol to rapeseed oil molar ratio, 1 h reaction time and 65 degrees C reaction temperature. The results were in agreement with the values measured by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. A mass balance and a preliminary feasibility study were investigated. A techno-economic analysis of the process for production of biodiesel from rapeseed with a capacity of 50,000 t/yr was presented to investigate the profitability indicators of the production capacity. The techno-economic indicators showed that total capital investment of $16,065,000, gross profit/year of $14,630,300, and percentage simple rate of return (%SRR) was 79.5% for a constant estimated price of $945/t while the specific biodiesel prices for SRR% of 10 and 50 were $722 and $850 respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Utility of the Arabidopsis FAE1 and yeast SLC1-1 genes for improvements in erucic acid and oil content in rapeseed.

Abstract: High-erucic acid (HEA) Brassica napus cultivars are regaining interest in industrial contexts. Erucic acid and its derivatives are important renewable raw materials utilized in the manufacture of plastic films, in the synthesis of Nylon 13,13, and in the lubricant and emollient industries. Theoretically, the highest level of erucic acid that can be achieved by means of classical breeding is 66 mol%; however, using new approaches on the basis of genetic engineering, it might be possible to develop a B. napus cultivar containing levels of erucic acid significantly above 66 mol% (> 80 mol%). In an attempt to increase the amounts of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), and erucic acid in particular, in Canadian HEA B. napus cultivars, we have focused on two targets using a transgenic approach. We examined both the role/function of the Arabidopsis thaliana FAE1 (fatty acid elongase) gene by expressing it under the control of the seed-specific napin promoter in B. napus germplasm with analysis of the changes in VLCFA content in the seed oil of transgenic lines, and the performance of the yeast SLC1-1 (sphingolipid compensation mutant) in B. napus cv. Hero transgenic progeny in the field. Here, we report analyses of the contents of 22:1, total VLCFA and oil in the seed oil, as well as seed yield of the field-grown FAE1 and SLC1-1 B. napus cv. Hero progeny.

Lambs fed fresh winter forage rape (Brassica napus L.) emit less methane than those fed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and possible mechanisms behind the difference.

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to examine long-term effects of feeding forage rape (Brassica napus L.) on methane yields (g methane per kg of feed dry matter intake), and to propose mechanisms that may be responsible for lower emissions from lambs fed forage rape compared to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The lambs were fed fresh winter forage rape or ryegrass as their sole diet for 15 weeks. Methane yields were measured using open circuit respiration chambers, and were 22-30% smaller from forage rape than from ryegrass (averages of 13.6 g versus 19.5 g after 7 weeks, and 17.8 g versus 22.9 g after 15 weeks). The difference therefore persisted consistently for at least 3 months. The smaller methane yields from forage rape were not related to nitrate or sulfate in the feed, which might act as alternative electron acceptors, or to the levels of the potential inhibitors glucosinolates and S-methyl L-cysteine sulfoxide. Ruminal microbial communities in forage rape-fed lambs were different from those in ryegrass-fed lambs, with greater proportions of potentially propionate-forming bacteria, and were consistent with less hydrogen and hence less methane being produced during fermentation. The molar proportions of ruminal acetate were smaller and those of propionate were greater in forage rape-fed lambs, consistent with the larger propionate-forming populations and less hydrogen production. Forage rape contained more readily fermentable carbohydrates and less structural carbohydrates than ryegrass, and was more rapidly degraded in the rumen, which might favour this fermentation profile. The ruminal pH was lower in forage rape-fed lambs, which might inhibit methanogenic activity, shifting the rumen fermentation to more propionate and less hydrogen and methane. The significance of these two mechanisms remains to be investigated. The results suggest that forage rape is a potential methane mitigation tool in pastoral-based sheep production systems.

Commercial Processing of Canola and Rapeseed: Crushing and Oil Extraction

Abstract: Since the development of canola, its processing in Canada has increased to the point where domestic crushing of canola seed accounts for approximately 38% of all canola grown in Canada from 1978 to 1988. In order to ensure that quality canola products will be produced, it is essential that quality control begins with the raw canola seed. Canola seed purchased by processors in Canada is bought on the basis of Canadian Grain Commission Standards.