LINOLA (EDIBLE LINSEED)

Family : Linaceae

Genus: Linum

Species: usitatissimum

See also Linseed.

(i) General background on the plant

Since the mid 1960s, demand for edible oils has risen dramatically but the low oxidative stability of linseed oil has rendered it unsuitable for use as an edible oil. To make an edible linseed oil, the fatty acid composition has been changed and linolenic acid (C18:3) has been substantially reduced from 50% to 2%, through traditional breeding procedures. These low linolenic acid mutants have greatly elevated levels of linoleic acid, 65 - 76%. This reduction in linolenic acid greatly increases the oxidative stability of the oil - it becomes an edible polyunsaturated oil almost identical to sunflower in fatty acid composition. The colour of the seed is also changed, with edible linseed being a pale yellow colour enabling it to be distinguished from non-edible linseed, which is brown.

Development of edible linseed is a joint venture between CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia) and United Grain Growers Ltd of Winnipeg, Canada (UGG Ltd). This joint venture has been in place since 1992 when UGG purchased the programme from Biotechnica Canada (BTCI) who were the original JV partners with CSIRO. This crop has been named Linola. Linola is a registered trademark of CSIRO [1].

Since entering the JV with CSIRO in 1992, UGG Ltd has developed all the Linola varieties for Canadian and European production, incorporating the low linolenic genetics from the CSIRO lines. This has led to the introduction in Canada of the varieties 947, 989 and the newly registered 1084 (the only commercial solin varieties in Canada). It has also led to the introduction of varieties for the UK and Europe - Coniston, Windermere, Derwent, although Derwent has not been commercialised.

The generic common name is Solin.

(ii) Details of quality characters [1]

Genetic modification of the activity of desaturase enzymes blocks the conversion of double-unsaturated linoleic acid (C18:2) into triple-unsaturated linolenic acid (C18:3) in the developing seed. This creates low-linolenic mutants with very high levels of linoleic acid as described above. This has been achieved in CSIRO, Australia by modifying the cultivar Glenelg and in Canada, the cultivar McGregor. In both instances mutation was induced with ethyl methanosulphonate (EMS). Both mutants have now been used as parental lines in breeding programmes with normal cultivars and progeny with low linolenic acid content selected [1].

In fatty acid composition, Linola oil is similar to premium polyunsaturated oils such as sunflower, safflower, and maize. It has one of the highest P/S values of these oils. Also, the high linoleic acid content is consistent across a wide range of growing conditions, whereas in sunflower growing conditions can affect the linoleic acid levels.

Edible linseed - fatty acid composition [1]

A new high yielding variety of Linola called Argyle was released by CSIRO in 1995 for production in Australia. It is not adapted to northern hemisphere conditions. There is a small production of Linola in Australia at present.

Edible linseed oil compares favourably with sunflower and canola oils for human consumption :

Fatty acid composition of linola and other oilseeds

Fatty Acid Composition of Linola and Five Major Vegetable Oils :

(P/S ratio : polyunsaturated /saturated fatty acid ratio)

(iii) Current production and yields

Internationally Linola was grown on about 100,000 ha in 1995, following its commercial introduction in Australia in 1993 and Canada in 1994. It has since continued in the 60 - 130,000 hectare range.

Most of the seed available for crushing in Europe has come from UGG's Canadian production since 1995. In 1998 there was a significant production in the UK, seedings for 1999 are similar. The quality of oil from these productions has been Linoleic acid 68 - 72%, Linolenic acid 1.8 - 2.2 % and total salts 10 -11%.

(iv) Constraints on production

Although it can be regarded as a "new crop", agronomically it is very similar to linseed. It matures at the same time as flax or oil crops. Linola is compatible with cereal production systems and can be harvested with the same machinery that is used for cereals and other small grain crops. Grain can be crushed in existing plants in accordance with standard methods. The crop does not lodge or shatter when mature. The straw also has the novel fibre applications described for linseed / flax straw.

(v) Markets and market potential

Linola can be grown wherever flax and linseed varieties currently perform well, also in many areas where cereals are grown. It clashes with the sunflower market but is more adapted to Northern Europe than sunflower [1]. The variety Coniston has completed UK National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) trials, and Nickerson Seeds offered grower contracts to grow Coniston in Spring 1995. Linola has not been launched for production in France or Germany although there is definite interest. The climate in northern Europe is highly suitable for production of Linola.

The crop produces a light golden oil with excellent oxidative stability [2]. The level of linolenic acid, the main component of conventional linseed oil, is now very low. The oil is also high in polyunsaturates and similar to safflower and sunflower oils. Its main uses include as the "soft" fraction in margarine and other spreads, in cooking, salad and frying oil. Linola oil (28%) was introduced into "Becel" brand margarine in Canadian markets in 1995.

Ground Linola seed shows considerable promise as a functional food component of flour in baking tests for improving bread quality and shelf life. The seed contains mucilage, linked to reduced blood cholesterol, and it is a rich source of lignans, a group of anti-carcinogenic compounds.

The seed meal can be used in ruminant feeds in the same way as linseed meal.

(vi) Other information [2]

Nickerson Seeds of Rothwell, UK provide test sites for the evaluation of new lines of Linola sent over from Canada. Nickerson Seeds Limited and United Grain Growers of Canada (UGG) formed a Joint venture in 1995 for production of Linola in the UK. Nickerson has introduced Linola contracts to UK farmers with the assistance of Kings of Coggeshall and United Oilseeds who have also placed contracts. Nickerson seeds looks after all the production and supply of certified seeds for the commercial contracts in the UK.

(vii) Contacts

Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd,
Mr Clifford Spencer, Springdale Crop Synergies Ltd, Rudston, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 4DJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1262 421100
Website: www.springdale-group.com

John K King and Sons Limited
Cogeshall
Colchester
Essex CO6 1TH
Tel: 01376 561543
Fax: 01376 562218
Email: solutions@kings.co.uk
Website: http://www.kings.co.uk/

United Oilseeds Marketing Ltd, William Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3US, UK.
Tel: 01380 729200
Fax: 01380 729186

(viii) References

1. Askew, M. F. (1992). A review of novel oilseeds & fibre crops and their potential for the UK. ADAS Wolverhampton, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ.

2. Nickersons Seeds Sales literature.