Unusually low pour point of fatty acid methyl esters with low saturated fatty acid content

Many oilseeds grown in Canada have unusual fatty acid profiles including Cruciferous oilseed varieties that have very low levels (<3%) of saturated fatty acid. In this study oil samples were obtained from five cultivars of Brassica rapa L., seven cultivars of Brassica napus L. and five cultivars from other oilseeds species namely Brassica juncea L., Sinapis alba L., Camelina sativa L. and Linum usitatissimum L. The fatty acid profile, cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP) were determined for each oil sample. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were synthesized from each oil sample. The saturated fatty acid content was highly correlated (R-2 = 0.93) with PP in methyl esters prepared from Brassica sp. oils. In addition, we identified three publications where PP was measured on fatty acid methyl esters and found that the correlation of PP with saturated fat content was consistent with data presented herein. Since B. rapa oil exhibited superior low temperature properties, it was chosen for further studies of oxidative stability. B. rapa cultivars, with less than 3.5% saturated fat and less than 20% polyunsaturated fat, can be an excellent feedstock for production of oils with improved cold fluidity and oxidative stability.