Partnership with Genome Atlantic

NSAC and Drs. Claude Caldwell and Derek Anderson received $1.8 in an effort to help unlock the potential of Canada’s next oilseed.

Camelina (False Flax), known for its hardy growing nature and high oil content is the subject of a unique research project under Genome Atlantic linking researchers across Canada and as far away as Germany. The project received $2.8 million from the ACOA-Atlantic Innovation Fund las month, a significant part of its $6.1 million budget.

“NSAC is very proud to be part of this collaboration, linking the best minds on a project with enormous potential for the agricultural and aquacultural industries and Atlantic Canadians as a whole,” said Vice President Research Extension and Outreach, Dr. Richard Donald.

Camelina, which was once considered a weed is now showing promise as an alternative source of oil for fish and animal feeds and even jet fuel.

“The foundation of the genetic information, coupled with the immense expertise of the Canadian agriculture and aquaculture research community, could make this the next ‘Made in Canada’ oilseed,” says Steve Armstrong, president and ceo of Genome Atlantic.

In Atlantic Canada, the aquaculture industry is particularly interested in its potential as a replacement for fish meal and oils, which have cost and sustainability concerns.

The biofuels world is also very interested in camelina oil as a ‘green’ source of fuel, particularly for jets, one of the biggest carbon producers. Testing in the last 18 months has shown camelina to be an outstanding jet fuel replacement, with above average reductions in carbon emissions in production and processing.

From an agricultural perspective, camelina can grow in harsher conditions than many other plants, meaning it can be grown on lands not reserved for food crops and could provide a rotational cash crop.

Genome Atlantic is a not-for-profit organization committed to enabling large-scale gene-discovery projects that provide economic, environmental and social benefits to Atlantic Canada. To date, they have enabled over $60 million in gene-discovery projects covering a variety of sectors, including human health, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry and the environment.