ARCHIVED - Soya à faible teneur en acide linolénique (OT96-15)

Information sur les aliments nouveaux


Health Canada has notified Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that is has no objection to the food use of a soybean variety derived from conventional breeding that has a reduced linolenic acid content. The Department conducted a comprehensive assessment of this soybean according to the Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods. These Guidelines are based upon internationally accepted principles for establishing the safety of foods with novel traits.

Background:

The following provides a summary regarding the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada notification to Health Canada and contains no confidential business information.

1. Introduction

Soybean ( Glycine max) line OT96-15 was developed by traditional plant breeding methods using the variety Maple Glen and a source of the low linolenic trait (PI 361088B). The oil derived from OT96-15 has approximately one-half the content of linolenic acid compared to conventional soybean varieties but is much higher than corn or olive oil.

2. Development and Production of the Modified Plant

OT96-15 is a Maple Glen back cross derived line originating from the cross Maple Arrow/PI 361088B(OAC2-K1)//4*Maple Glen. OAC2-K1 is an F2 line developed by the University of Guelph selected for the fan1(PI 361088B) gene which results in a reduced level of seed linolenic acid. The final backcross to Maple Glen was made in 1990 at Ottawa. PI361088B originates from Mica Ungana, a cultivar from Romania. Traditional breeding techniques have a history of safe use in food agriculture.

3. Product Information

OT96-15 was developed through backcrossing of the fan1gene into Maple Glen and resulted in a reduction of linolenic acid (Table 1) in seed oil while maintaining the agronomic characteristics of Maple Glen.

Table 1. Fatty acid profile of OT96-15, its recurrent parent Maple Glen, and other cultivars

Genotype

Palmitic acid

Stearic Acid

Oleic acid

Linoleic acid

Linolenic acid

%

%

%

%

%

OT96-15

11.47

4.04

23.47

57.25

3.42

Maple Glen

11.44

4.09

21.46

55.93

6.48

OAC Bayfield

10.03

3.92

19.56

57.76

8.14

AC Brant

10.16

3.76

27.66

51.06

6.79

AC Proteus

11.81

3.10

19.71

55.25

9.47

4. Dietary Exposure

OT96-15 will be primarily used as a source of oil for frying, shortening and margarines due to its low polyunsaturated fatty acid content.

5. Nutrition

Data for phenotypic and agronomic characteristics demonstrates that OT96-15 is similar to conventional soybean lines except for the change in linolenic acid content. OT96-15 does not present any nutritional concerns.

6. Safety

No toxicity concerns are associated with the expression of the low linolenic trait. Apart from the reduced linolenic content developed through traditional breeding practices, no new proteins or traits are expressed as a result of the development of OT96-15. No allergenicity concerns are associated with OT96-15.

Conclusion:

Health Canada's review of the information presented in support of the food use of low linolenic soybean line OT96-15 concluded that this soybean does not raise concerns related to human food safety. Health Canada is of the opinion that products from low linolenic soybean line OT96-15 are as safe and nutritious as those available from commercial soybean varieties.

Health Canada's opinion pertains only with the food use of low linolenic soybean. Issues relating to growing low linolenic soybean in Canada and its use as animal feed are addressed separately through existing regulatory processes in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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