Sinapine in Australian canola

Canola production in Australia has increased dramatically leading to an increase in canola meal. Limits have been placed on the intake of canola meal as an animal feed due to its high levels of anti-nutritional components. Sinapine, one such component, is the major phenolic compound found in canola meal. Previous studies have suggested that sinapine concentrations may be lowered through a breeding program. Analysis HPLC analysis was performed on selected canola meal samples to determine the range of sinapine concentrations in Australian canola. A NIR calibration was developed from these samples to allow nondestructive screening of breeding program lines. The calibration has a range of 5.2-9.6 g/kg with a standard error of prediction of 1.2. From this initial calibration breeding trial samples have been selected to extend the calibration limits and improve its accuracy.