Where does erucic acid come from? Understanding its plant-based origins

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 20,000 people were affected by Toxic Oil Syndrome in Spain in 1981, which was initially blamed on erucic acid found in contaminated rapeseed oil, despite later studies disproving the link. The truth about where erucic acid comes from is tied to the seeds of certain plants, particularly those in the Brassicaceae family.

Quick Summary

Erucic acid originates from the seeds of specific plants, predominantly species within the Brassicaceae family such as rapeseed and mustard. High concentrations are found in traditional rapeseed and mustard oils, while modern, low-erucic acid varieties like canola have been developed for edible use.

Key Points

Plant Family Source: Erucic acid comes primarily from plants in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family, which includes rapeseed and mustard plants.
High-Erucic Rapeseed: Traditional or wild varieties of the rapeseed plant, also known as high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR), were historical sources of oil with high erucic acid content for industrial uses.
Canola Development: Canadian plant breeders developed modern 'canola' (Canadian Oil, Low Acid) varieties of rapeseed with very low levels of erucic acid (under 2%) for human consumption.
Other Plant Sources: Other botanical sources of erucic acid include garden nasturtium and wallflower, though less commercially significant.
Trace Amounts in Other Foods: Small amounts of erucic acid can be found in some processed foods and certain marine animal oils.
Industrial vs. Culinary Use: The key difference lies in the application: HEAR is for industrial use, while low-erucic varieties (canola) are for cooking and food manufacturing.

Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found almost exclusively in plants. Its presence in various oils has led to a complex history involving health concerns and agricultural innovation. Understanding its plant-based origins is key to differentiating between high and low-content varieties and their applications.

The Brassicaceae Family: A Primary Source

The main source of erucic acid is the seeds of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, also known as the mustard or cabbage family. This family contains numerous plants, some cultivated for their oil-rich seeds. The name "erucic" originates from the genus Eruca, which includes arugula.

Plants with High Erucic Acid Content

High Erucic Acid Rapeseed (HEAR): Wild or traditional Brassica napus rapeseed varieties historically contain high levels of erucic acid, ranging from 20% to 54%. These differ from modern edible types.
Mustard Seed: Seeds from various mustard plants, like Brassica juncea and Sinapis alba, are significant sources, with mustard oil containing up to 42% erucic acid.
Tropaeolum majus (Garden Nasturtium): This plant's seeds also have exceptionally high erucic acid, although it's not in the Brassicaceae family.
Wallflower (Erysimum spp.): Wallflower seeds also contain notable erucic acid levels.

From High to Low Erucic Acid Oils

Concerns arose when studies linked high erucic acid intake to potential heart issues, specifically myocardial lipidosis, in laboratory animals. Myocardial lipidosis is a temporary condition involving lipid accumulation in heart muscle. This led Canadian plant breeders to develop new rapeseed varieties with significantly reduced erucic acid.

The Development of Canola Oil

Canola is a registered name meaning "Canadian Oil, Low Acid".
Canadian breeders created Brassica napus and Brassica rapa cultivars with less than 2% erucic acid, a level even lower in most commercial canola oils.
They also reduced other undesirable compounds like glucosinolates.

Industrial vs. Culinary Oils

Rapeseed oil types are distinguished by their erucic acid levels. Most rapeseed oil for human consumption, including canola oil, is low in erucic acid. In contrast, high-erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) is grown for industrial uses such as lubricants, plastics, and biodegradable surfactants.

Comparison of High vs. Low Erucic Acid Oils


Feature	High Erucic Acid Rapeseed Oil (HEAR)	Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed Oil (LEAR / Canola)
Typical Erucic Acid Content	20% to over 50%	Less than 2%
Primary Use	Industrial applications (lubricants, polymers, biodiesel)	Edible cooking oil, food products
Health Concerns	Historically linked to myocardial lipidosis in animals	Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for consumption
Processing	May be chemically processed or expeller-pressed	Modern varieties are bred for safety; can be refined or cold-pressed
Key Characteristic	Provides excellent oxidative stability for industrial products	Provides a balanced profile of unsaturated fats for nutrition

Trace Amounts in Other Sources

Besides the Brassicaceae family, trace amounts of erucic acid can appear in other oils and foods. These small quantities are naturally occurring and typically not a health risk.

Certain Fish Oils: Some marine animal oils, particularly from deep-sea fish, can contain minor amounts of erucic acid.
Processed Foods: Small concentrations may be present in processed foods, pastries, and infant formulas due to the use of low-erucic rapeseed oils as ingredients.

Conclusion

Erucic acid originates predominantly from the seeds of plants in the Brassicaceae family, such as rapeseed and mustard. While past concerns existed due to high levels in traditional edible oils, modern plant breeding has resulted in low-erucic varieties like canola, which are safe for consumption. A clear distinction exists between high-erucic acid oils used industrially and low-erucic oils for food. Today's culinary rapeseed and canola oils are regulated for minimal erucic acid, ensuring consumer safety. The journey of erucic acid highlights the evolution of food safety and the development of healthier food options.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary source of erucic acid is the seeds of plants in the Brassicaceae family, particularly from traditional rapeseed and mustard plants.

Canola oil is derived from rapeseed, but it has been specifically bred to be very low in erucic acid, typically containing less than 2%. Modern canola oil is not considered a high-erucic acid source.

In the 1970s, studies on laboratory animals suggested that high consumption of erucic acid could lead to heart damage, a condition known as myocardial lipidosis. This prompted the breeding of low-erucic varieties for human consumption.

Yes, high erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) is still grown and used for industrial purposes, including the production of lubricants, polymers, and other specialty chemicals.

Yes, trace amounts can be found in other foods such as some fish oils and certain processed foods that may use refined rapeseed oil as an ingredient.

While both come from the rapeseed plant, canola oil is a specific low-erucic acid variety that is safe for consumption and highly regulated. Traditional rapeseed oil, with high erucic acid levels, is mainly for industrial use.

Yes, the erucic acid levels in modern edible oils are very low and regulated to ensure consumer safety. For most consumers, the risk from dietary erucic acid is considered negligible.