ABSTRACT
Oilseeds contain minor components such as phenolics, which are generally accepted to be potential antioxidants. These antioxidative compounds play a major role in maintaining the genetic integrity of the seeds (Bailly, 2004). Canolol is one of the main phenol compounds derived from canola and rapeseed (seeds and oil) from the precursor sinapic acid. Although sinapic acid is proven to be the parent for its formation, our unpublished recent work seems to indicate that sinapic acid derivatives might have a role in the formation of canolol. Structurally, canolol constitutes a dimethoxy phenol attached with vinyl group at the fourth position of phenol ring (Figure 19.1). Consequently, the chemical name of canolol is 4-vinyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol. Sinapic acid is regarded as the precursor of canolol on the basis of heat-involved treatments formed by decarboxylation. Discussions on decarboxylation pathways leading to the formation of canolol are mentioned in Chapter 3. Heat treatment such as roasting was found to decarboxylate sinapic acid and as a result, the concentration
19.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 337 19.2 Status of Canolol: Actual Range in Canola Oil ............................................ 338 19.3 Review of Functional Properties and Assessment of Efcacy ..................... 341
19.3.1 Radical Scavenging (Antioxidative) ................................................. 341 19.3.2 Suppression of Oxidative Stress ....................................................... 342 19.3.3 Defence of Signalling Molecules ...................................................... 343 19.3.4 Anti-Mutagenicity ............................................................................. 343 19.3.5 Protection of DNA Breakage ............................................................ 343 19.3.6 Cytoprotective Effect ........................................................................ 343 19.3.7 Anti-Inammatory ............................................................................344 19.3.8 Inhibition of Chronic Gastritis and Carcinogenesis .........................344
