Canola enhanced with long-chain omega-3 becomes a reality

Pelagic species (anchovy, menhaden, and others) have been the major source of the essential longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) for many years. However, the increasing demand for these fatty acids, supported by a multitude of studies showing beneficial effects on heart and brain health, has led to overfishing of many source species. Consequently, there has been a concerted effort by several groups to develop a land-based source, and many publications describe the production of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid; C20:5n3) and/or DHA (docosahexaenoic acid; C22:6n-3) in oilseed crops. Here we describe the development of a canola crop with high levels of DHA and ALA (α-linolenic acid; C18:3n-3), the first such crop to obtain regulatory approval in any jurisdiction (Petrie, et al., 2020). © 2020, American Oil Chemists Society. All rights reserved.