Rapeseed meal

What remains of rapeseed after the oil is pressed and solvent-extracted: a protein- and mineral-rich meal whose food use is fenced in by glucosinolates, the pungent compounds that impair thyroid function and taste bitter. Animal feeding absorbs most of the supply, with processing and ration formulation managing the antinutritional load, while plant breeders’ low-glucosinolate canola varieties yield meal of markedly better quality. Food-grade protein isolates from the meal remain a research goal, awaiting economic and regulatory breakthroughs. Research continues into detoxification methods that could unlock its food potential.