A toxic mono-unsaturated fatty acid, (C22:ω9) found in rape seed (Brassica napus) and mustard seed (B. junca and B. nigra) oils. Low erucic acid varieties of rape seed (canola) have been developed for food use.
A toxic monounsaturated fatty acid, which is found in the plant family Cruciferae, notably in Brassica. The oils from rapeseed and mustard seed are particularly high in erucic acid (20%-55%). The toxic effects in animals include fat accumulation in the heart muscle, growth retardation, and liver damage. Because a large intake of erucic acid is necessary to induce myocardial damage in animals, the hazard of erucic acid toxicity in humans is probably minimal. A variety of rapeseed has been developed that produces an erucic acid-free oil. This plant is called canola and its oil is canola oil.