The company that brought the world the Flavr Savr tomato is getting into Canada’s canola business.
Calgene Inc. of Davis, Calif., one of the world’s leading biotechnology firms, is joining with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool to produce canola varieties high in lauric acid.
The resulting canola oil will be used to produce a variety of edible products including whipped dairy toppings, confectionary coatings, coffee whiteners and flavor enhancers. It also has a number of industrial uses, in products like detergents and soaps.
Calgene is most famous for its patented Flavr Savr tomato, genetically altered to stay fresher longer. It has done similar work with strawberries and has patented a number of specialized vegetable oils and cotton plants.
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In its first venture into Canada, Calgene will provide the genetics, while Sask Pool will provide the plant breeding and seed distribution and collection capabilities.
A Sask Pool official said the agreement formalizes what has already been a close working relationship.
“By working with Calgene, we will ensure that our farmers and the agricultural industry share in the benefits offered by this powerful technology,” said Bob Morgan, the pool’s manager of research and development.
He said the pool hopes to have the specialty canola in the marketplace next year and have 500,000 acres in production within five years.
Regular canola contains no lauric acid. In the genetically altered canola oil, known by the trademark name Laurical, lauric acid accounts for 37 percent of the fatty acid content.
Through its breeding programs, the pool will incorporate Calgene’s genetic technology into varieties that are suited for production in Western Canada.
Morgan said the two companies will share the costs of developing the new varieties, although the specific cost-sharing arrangements may vary from year to year depending on the type of work being done.
