Canola oil

• Ph. Eur.Rapeseed Oil, Refined
• USP–NFCanola Oil

Canbra oil; low erucic acid rapeseed oil; rapae oleum raffinatum; refined rapeseed oil

Refined fixed oil from seeds of low-erucic-acid varieties of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa · [120962-03-0]

Polymer, mixture or material of variable composition — no single molecular formula applies.

Oleaginous vehicle

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Liquid, Semi-solid

Used as an oily vehicle and solvent in oral formulations such as soft gelatin capsules and emulsions, and as an emollient and oil phase in topical creams and lotions. It is widely used in foods and cosmetics.

A clear, light-yellow oily liquid with a bland taste. It consists mainly of triglycerides of unsaturated fatty acids.

Fatty-acid composition

mainly oleic acid (about 50–65%), linoleic acid (about 15–30%) and α-linolenic acid (about 5–15%); erucic acid not more than 2%

Density

≈ 0.91–0.92 g/cm³ at 20 °C

Iodine value

≈ 110–126

Solubility

practically insoluble in water and ethanol; miscible with light petroleum and other non-polar solvents

Because of its content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially α-linolenic acid, it is prone to oxidation and rancidity. Store in well-filled, airtight, light-resistant containers in a cool place; an antioxidant may be added.

Incompatible with strong oxidising agents.

Obtained by mechanical expression and/or solvent extraction of the seeds of rapeseed varieties bred for low erucic acid and low glucosinolate content, followed by refining, bleaching and deodorisation.

A common edible oil; regarded as non-toxic and non-irritant.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Spills are slippery.

Low erucic acid rapeseed oil is GRAS listed.

Rapeseed oil; corn oil; olive oil; soybean oil; sunflower oil.

Older rapeseed varieties contained large amounts of erucic acid, which caused myocardial lipidosis in animal studies; canola and refined rapeseed oil of pharmacopoeial quality are limited to low erucic acid levels.