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CANOLA , - A SUCCESS STORY IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
Willie H. Lob
Cargill Foods, Minneapolis,
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USA
Abstract The first generation of biotechnology-derived oils have already been commercialized. Using advanced plant breeding techniques, specialty canola varieties which produce oils with modified fatty acid compositions were developed. A controlled production system . was established to maintain oil integrity from planting seed through oilseed production, elevator storage, to crushing, refining and delivery to customers. These oils; which have increased levels of oleic acid and reduced levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, demonstrate higher levels of oxidative and thermal stability. Due to these changes, specialty canola oils also have greatly improved flavor and odor characteristics. The performance attributes of specialty canola oils exceed those of commodity vegetable oils arid match those normally assoclated with pourable shortenings. However, the superior stability of these oils result from improved genetics rather than processing. Without hydrogenation, specialty canola oils have the lowest level of saturated fatty acids and contain no trans fatty acids. Both saturated and trans fatty acids have been shown to contribute to coronary heart disease. Foods made with these specialty oils will also have similar improvements in nutrition. Specialty shortenings with greatly reduced levels of saturated and trans fats have been produced by blending and interesterification with specialty oils. This generation of specialty canola oils were produced through plant breeding and are not subject to specialty regulations for use. With recombinant DNA technology, the next generation of specialty oils will offer even greater performance, attributes and further nutritional improvements.
Introduction Biotechnology is expected to dramatically change the food industry by creating new products and increasing crop productivity. However, the transformation of genetic concepts into market opportunities involves more than research and developme~t. Elegant genetic manipulations represent only the first step in the development of novel agricultural products. Commercialization of plant-based specialty products requires planting seed production,. crop production, identity preservation for logistics, transportation and processing, and an extensive system of quality assurance procedures. Market access, infrastructural fit and investment requirements are also key factors to commercial success. Specialty canola oils with modified fatty acid compositions have been commercialized recently (Figure 1). Clear,Valley Canola Oil is a low a.-linolenic acid canola oil with heat stability and neutral flavor. Clear Valley High Oleic Canola Oil is a high oleicllow linolenic acid canola oil with oxidative stability and neutral flavor. These oils are among the first mainstream products produced through biotechnology for the food processing, food service and retail markets. Their development provides an example where technology can be leveraged to create value in the market place. The process of
creating Clear Valley oils illustrates the potential pitfalls facing novel products, particularly those created through biotechnology. Market Analysis. Products of agricultural biotechnology require very long lead time for development. Product cycles will seldom be less than five years in duration and often extend to ten years. Therefore, selection of target trait(s) for modification must carefully match long term market trends. The value of the target trait to each segment of the food production system, including: 1. the certified seed producer 2. the grower 3. the elevator 4. the ingredient processor 5. the food manufacturer 6. the distribution system 7. the retailer, and 8. the consumer must be clearly understood. The consumer drives the food production system through hislher purchases. Products which do not add value to the consumer are limited to substitution value. The .technical targets for Clear Valley oils were selected following a thorough analysis of market trends. Before the R&D program began, numerous reports in the popular media had demonstrated that consumer were becoming increasingly concerned with dietary fat. The food industry was launching low fat foods as premium products. Oils which can improve the lipid nutrition of these foods would enhance this growing market sector. . Following an extensive survey of the medical literature and interviews with medical researchers, nutritionists and dieticians, the targets which were selected included reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing monounsaturated fatty acids. Following establishment of the product specification,canola was selected as the target oilseed for a number of reasons, including:
1. lowest level of saturated fat among all 2. healthy perception in North America 3. adaptability to global production, arid 4. ease of genetic manipulation.
oils~eds
Research & Development. A number of technical approaches, ranging from traditional plant breeding to recombinant DNA technology, can be used to modify fatty acid composition in oilseeds. The targeted traits can be selected from natural variation, induced through mutation at the cellular or organismal .level, engineered through molecular biology or a combination of all these technologies. A 'review of these technical however, approaches, is beyond the scope of this report. Surprising, the choice of technology to generate the target trait is not paramount in the'overall process of product commercialization. Regardless of the technology choice, the target trait has to be tested for heritability, environmental stability and interaction with other modified traits. The development ofcanola varieties containing modified trait(s) require extensive field testing and plant breeding. In the development of Cargill's specialty canola varieties, multiple replicated field trials were conducted over a variety of climates over multiple years. Varieties containing the modified trait must compete with standard crop varieties on yield, as well as against alternative crops in the production region for farm income. Due to the requirement for the modffied trait, the scope of the plant breeding effort is
significantly higher than for standard varieties. Much higher chemical analysis costs are also incurred during varietal development.
Crop Production. Crop production usually begins with planting seed production. With conventional open-pollinated varieties, seed production occurs in three stages: Breeder Seed, Foundation Seed and Certified Seed. Since varieties carrying modified traits are phenotypically indistinguishable from standard ones, a pre-Breeder Seed stage is needed. For Clear Valley canola varieties, pre-Breeder Seed was produced from self pollination of individual plants. Each seed lot was individually analyzed via gas chromatography. This extra step is critical for maintain genetic purity. Standard procedures were employed for production of Breeder Seed, Foundation Seed and Certified Seed. To ensure consistent and reliable supply, specialty crops require greater management input than standard crops. Due to limited production, crop failure is NOT an acceptable option. Specialty crop production needs to be located in prime growing areas and diversified to minimize climate related disasters. Quality Assurance procedures must be instituted to ensure that the correct seeds are planted and that the grain is not mixed with standard varieties. Cargill recruits elite growers, particular seed growers, for specialty crop production. All these additional steps are necessary for Identity Preserved (IP) production and add production cost. Logistics, Storage, Transportation and Processing. Because seeds containing modified trait(s) are often phenotypically indistinguishable from standard grains, the danger of co-mingling is great. Quality assurance checks must be instituted to track the identity of individual production lots onthe farm, for transportation from the farm to the elevator, for storage at the elevator, and for transportation to the processing plant. At the processing plant, similar systems must be instituted to segregate both the raw material and the finished product. Specialty oilseeds must be binned separately. The crushing and refining system must be flushed between runs of commodity oilseeds. Separate tanks must be set aside to store the finished oil and/or meal. Establishment of an IP food production system represents a major barrier to entry, regardless of the nature or origin of the modified tr...