Special edition: Omega-3
Canola oil
Much attention has been paid to the conversion of ALA to the longer chain EPA, with many stating that this conversion is very small. Indeed, between 8 and 20 per cent of ALA is reportedly converted to EPA in humans, and between 0.5 and 9 per cent of ALA is converted to DHA.
This has led some to look to bio-engineering to produce EPA and DHA from plants. Biotech giant BASF is currently exploring the potential of canola (above) to produce EPA and DHA.