OATS

Family: Gramineae

Genus: Avena

Species: sativa

(i) General background on the plant

The genus Avena is similar in appearance and stature to wheat but is distinguished from other members of the Avenae tribe by virtue of their natural habit and large pendulous spikelets. The inflorescence is a panicle, few-flowered spikelets with large thin glumes enclosing the florets. Plants are approximately 1m high with green or bluish leaves which are flat and rough with 12 veins. The ligules are long and pointed, auricles are absent. There are several cultivars of oats grown.

Oat species occur throughout Europe and the Middle East. They were probably first distributed as a weed with other crops. There are now two series of cultivated hexaploid oats - common oat A. sativa grown in cooler climates, and red oat A.byzantina cultivated in warmer climates. Oats are best adapted to cooler, more temperate regions with annual precipitation of 700mm.

(ii) Details of quality characteristics

OATS: a comprehensive guide from the Canada - Alberta Farm Business Management Initiative

(iii) Current production and yields

The importance of oats as a foodstock has declined greatly since the introduction of mechanical power to farming. Oats formed the staple diet of working horses. They are now used mostly in the food industry as a minor part of grain mixtures or as rolled oats. They are also used in the production of furfural, also because of the small uniformly sized starch granules, oat starch has industrial applications.

Source: FAO 1996

(iv) Constraints upon production

Adequate moisture is essential thus the crop is more suited to northern European climates. Extreme susceptibility to cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae), oats also carry stem and bulb nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) which affects several other unrelated crops. Crop must be fully ripe when combined and dried immediately as it is extremely susceptible to heating and moulding in store if at all immature or damp.

(v) Markets and market potential

Oat gluten is used as a stabilizer, emulsifier and food extender.

Oat products are being marketed for the cosmetic industry and for human food. An oat starch product that can be used in dusting and baby powders, antiperspirants, blush and eye shadow has been developed. The starch is a substitute for talc and the beta glucan substitutes for hyaluronic acid, a high polymer derived from animal by products. Combinations of oat starch and anti-irritant have uses as non-allergy dusting powders for applications, for example in surgical gloves. The hydrolysed protein finds uses in shampoos. These ingredients are also being evaluated for use in animal care and pet care applications.

Other products include ingredients for lotions, creams, gels, shampoos and sunscreens as well as modified amino acid compounds that facilitate application, adherence, and water repulsion. Different oat plant derivatives have been used in cosmetic and toiletry products because of their gluten content and resultant effects on dry and itchy skin. Commercial bath products, including soaps and gels as well as powders, are produced.

Furfural is produced from fibrous residues of food crops, oats are often the raw material used. Precursors of furfural are the pentosans xylan and arabinan, pentosan content of the raw material is important and must be between 25 - 40%. Furfural is used in the manufacture of furan, an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, stabilizers and fine chemicals, it is also used in the manufacture of furfuryl alcohol, methylfuran and nitrofurans which are intermediates for making antimicrobial agents. It is also used as a selective solvent in separation of saturated and unsaturated compounds in lubricating oils, gas oil and diesel fuels.

(vi) Other information

The agronomy of oats is well studied and documented. The crop requires ample moisture for straw production and grain filling and will not tolerate drought, good drainage is also essential. Oats are not susceptible to take all or eyespot and are useful as a break crop in cereal rotations.

The Oatec Project
The Oatec project was a collaborative 5b project managed by ADAS and Oat Services which was completed in 2001. The project looked at the feasibility of setting up an oat fractionation plant in the UK. The project identified an opportunity for a high quality oat oil to be marketed to the cosmetic industry. The challenge remains the reliable production of a homogenous highly specificed product at a sustainable commercial scale.

Contact Richard Weightman or Cark Maunsell for details of further projects and commercial developments. The Oatec project has led on to the ABIPO LINK project (Antioxidant Based Industrial Products from Oats) which runs from 2002-2005.

(vii) Contacts

SW Seed Limited, 49 North Road, Great Abington, Cambridge CB1 6AS, UK.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 890 777
Fax: + 44 (0) 1223 890 666
Website: http://www.semundo.co.uk/

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

(viii) References

Gill, N.T.and Vear, K.C. (1980) Agricultural Botany 2. Monocotyledonous Crops. Duckworth.

Halley, R.J. (1983) The Agricultural Notebook. Butterworths.

Zoebelein, H. (1997) Dictionary of Renewable Resources.