USask researchers pioneer new kernel–hull separation method
Poised to unlock plant‑based protein potential in canola.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have developed a novel method for separating the kernel from the hull of canola seeds — an advance that could significantly expand the crop’s value beyond oil production and open new opportunities in the fast‑growing plant‑based protein sector. The work, conducted using the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron, could enable processors to make better use of every part of the seed.
Canada’s canola industry generates $43.7 billion in economic activity each year, yet most of that value still comes from oil extraction, with the remaining meal typically used as low‑grade animal feed. The USask team — graduate engineering student Runrong Yin and researcher Edgar Martinez Soberanes — set out to change that by examining how the physical structure of canola seeds affects processing efficiency.
A canola seed consists of a tough outer hull tightly encasing a nutrient‑rich inner kernel. Traditional crushing methods process the whole seed at once, which limits the purity and functionality of the resulting protein. By using advanced X‑ray imaging at the CLS, the researchers were able to analyse how different processing conditions affect the separation of these two components, identifying a method that could allow processors to isolate the kernel more effectively before crushing.
This breakthrough could dramatically increase the value of canola meal by enabling the production of higher‑quality plant proteins suitable for human food, rather than relegating them to animal feed. It may also unlock access to other high‑value compounds within the kernel, including specialty oils and bioactive ingredients, which are attracting interest from food, nutraceutical, and alternative‑protein manufacturers.
The research aligns with broader industry efforts to diversify Canada’s plant‑protein portfolio and strengthen domestic processing capacity. With global demand for sustainable protein sources rising, the ability to extract more value from existing crops is becoming increasingly important.
As the canola sector looks to the future, USask’s kernel‑hull separation innovation offers a promising pathway to transform one of Canada’s most important crops into a more versatile, higher‑value ingredient source.
