A joint research between Nuseed, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) have developed canola containing omega-3 oil through plant-to-plant gene transfer.
Genes from microalgae were transferred to canola for it to produce canola oil which is rich with long chain DHA, at level equal or better to that found in fish. [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
According to Dr James Petrie, senior scientist with the CSIRO’ s Food Futures Flagship, it is estimated that one hectare of the DHA canola will deliver the equivalent amount of DHA oil that can be extracted from 10,000 fish.
Canola producing DHA acts as an alternative to fish source of omega-3.
This will alleviate the pressures of fish stock in the market. Nuseed group executive Brent Zacharias highlighted that supply from the fish oil market was limited to about 900,000 tonnes.
It is forecasted that the industry would need to double its supply over the next 10 years to meet the needs of aquaculture production and human diets.
“It is projected that demand for healthy long-chain omega-3 oils will exceed the production that can be sustainably supplied by wild fish stocks” said Dr Surinder Singh, CSIRO group leader for oilseeds.
Nuseed had filed for regulatory approvals and aimed to start commercialising the seeds by 2019 upon approval. Regulatory approval includes both field and lab performance trials.
DHA is important for brain function, child brain development, and heart health. There has been increasing amount of awareness over the importance of omega-3 intake. Current demand for DHA is driven by supplements and fortified food. Omega 3 can be found in flaxseed oil, fish oil, chia seeds and walnuts.
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