Grant: Alliance Grants

Saskatchewan being a leading producer and processor of canola, downstream process of canola accompanies huge amount of canola meal (CM). As per 2020 report, province produces 11 million MT of canola out of which only 4 million MT are processed here, producing approximately 2.2 million MT of CM (considering oil content of canola as high as 45%). Moreover, with ongoing investment in the canola processing facilities it is expected that the province will process about 85% of its produce within 2030. As per current strategy, most of these CM as a by-product of canola processing facilities are sold as an animal feed in extensively substandard price, i.e., approximately $450 per MT (Canola Council, 2022). Reports indicates that CM is nutritionally rich composed with high protein content, fibers, ranges of vitamins, minerals, and metal ions. Conversion of the meal to microbial media, adhesives and bioplastics will increase the value and new markets for the canola meal. The overall objective of the proposed research will be to develop a comprehensive understanding of the canola meal extraction process, the composition of extracts, the efficacy of extracts as nutrients to support microbial fermentation, and the synthesis of bioplastic and adhesives from CM residue. The overall emphasis will be to valorize canola meal through the synthesis of microbial media, adhesives, and bioplastics