Evaluation of Anti-oxidant Activity, Food Efficacy and Health Aspects of Canola
Padu Krishnan, South Dakota State University - $9,820

Evaluation of the anti-oxidative activity of canola is an important factor in increasing the value of canola. Comparison of canola crops from different regions in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota may highlight an additional value-added factor that might be exploited commercially. Health benefits attributable to canola meal and oil constituents can be established using experimentally sound small-animal studies. Cause-effect relationships can be established between feed and disease rates as evidenced by clinical indicators (tumors, chemical markers, etc).

The proposed study will employ two newly acquired state-of- the-art Mass Spectrometers to fingerprint, identify, and reliably measure oil and canola meal constituents. These tools will then be used to monitor success in developing valuable fractions from a variety of milling techniques.

Objectives:
1. Develop functionally enriched canola fractions and demonstrate their effectiveness in food systems.
2. Assess the potential cancer preventive effects of canola meal in experimental animals.