Efficient erucic acid removal from cold-pressed mustard oil for safe edible use - BC-946
Project type: ResearchDesired discipline(s): Engineering - chemical / biological, Engineering, Food science, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Natural Sciences
Company: Acres of Eden
Project Length: 6 months to 1 year
Preferred start date: As soon as possible.
Language requirement: English
Location(s): Squamish, BC, Canada
No. of positions: 1
Desired education level: PhD
Open to applicants registered at an institution outside of Canada: Yes
About the company:
Acres of Eden was born from a passion for creating healthier, more sustainable food options. With a focus on cold-pressed olive, avocado, mustard and other Canadian seed oils, we ensure every drop retains its natural nutrients and flavor.
Describe the project.:
Mustard oil is officially permitted in the market only for external applications such as cosmetics, lotions, massages, and medications. However, it is widely used as a cooking oil and food additive in households and food-related businesses.
In Canada and North America, mustard oil holds significant popularity in the food market due to strong demand for Asian-inspired flavors and diets. This has raised concerns and controversy because of its high erucic acid (EA) content, which is genuinely toxic and prohibited in food by FDA and Health Canada.
The main goal of this project is to introduce the first food-grade mustard oil with minimal EA content (5% max.) that complies with FDA and Health Canada safety standards.
This project focuses on solvent free and clean isolation of EA from cold pressed mustard oil, in ambient condition enabling the production of safe, edible mustard oil for the first time in Canada.
As a complementary stage of the project, or a side project we plan to use the removed Euricic Acid as the ingredient of washing and cleaning liquids, soap and pet food.
We are also looking into the conversion of the cakes and biomass remaining from the cold press to the protein-rich food or use them in renewable energy researches.
Required expertise/skills:
A Chemical Engineer, an Organic Chemist, a Bio-engineer.
