Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Pleasant Valley Oils Mills, a subsidiary of the Pleasant Valley Colony, has been producing and manufacturingx000D
pure, natural, and sustainable cold pressed canola and sunflower oils, and as the production levels increase thex000D
company is facing an increasing challenge of adding value to the protein-rich meal by-product. Developingx000D
value-added processing and applications of proteins from canola and sunflower cold pressed meals is importantx000D
to increase the company competitiveness and be a step toward zero waste production.x000D
The meals are good source of protein (30-50%) with 11S salt-soluble globulin and 2S water-soluble albumin asx000D
the major components. Traditionally, heating is applied in canola oil processing which damages the proteinx000D
structures, leading to reduced solubility and unfavorable flavor and color. The cold press method causes muchx000D
less alternation of protein native structures. This offers opportunity to develop protein ingredients of goodx000D
solubility and functionality from the meals to target a wide range of food applications.x000D
This is a new collaboration between Dr. Chen and the Pleasant Valley Oils Mills to develop functional proteinsx000D
from cold-pressed canola and sunflower meals towards food applications. The specific objectives are to: 1)x000D
develop effective process to extract proteins from canola/sunflower cold-pressed meals; and 2) study thex000D
structures and functional properties of the extracted proteins.x000D
The knowledge generated through this research will aid in development of strategies for extraction andx000D
utilization of canola and sunflower meal proteins. This research will also train one PDF and one graduatex000D
student in protein extraction and functionality study to meet the shortfall in food processing industry. Developx000D
functional food ingredients from these proteins will significantly increase economic returns on cropx000D
components and enhance profitability and sustainability of oilseed producers and processors. The developmentx000D
of novel protein ingredients will support innovations of Canadian food industry.