Products
Rapeseed oil is available in grocery stores. In pharmacies and drugstores, it is on sale, for example, from Biofarm, Hänseler and Morga in various qualities.
Definition
Canola oil is a fatty oil obtained from the seeds of canola species. It is usually cold pressed, meaning it is pressed without the application of heat. A distinction is made between the natural rapeseed oil, Rapae oleum virginum and the purified oil, Rapae oleum raffinatum. The European Pharmacopoeia defines refined rapeseed oil as that obtained from the seeds of L. and L. (Brassicaceae) by mechanical pressing or by extraction and subsequent refining. A suitable antioxidant may be added.
Properties
Canola oil is a thick, light to dark yellow liquid that is practically insoluble in water.
Ingredients
Canola oil is a fatty oil that contains, among other things, triglycerides with large amounts of oleic acid, valuable omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Erucic acid is undesirable in canola oil because of its taste and possible side effects. The content should be less than 2%. Today, erucic acid-free canola varieties are grown.
Areas of application
- As an edible oil and dietary supplement, source of unsaturated fatty acids.
- As a pharmaceutical excipient.
- In cosmetics (Brassica Rapa Seed Extract).
- As a reagent.
Adverse effects
Like other fatty oils, canola oil can become rancid over time. It is recommended that the oil be stored away from light, in tightly sealed containers appropriate for consumption, as full as possible.
