CARINATA - Advanced Renewables

What is Carinata?
Carinata (Ethiopian mustard) is derived from the interspecific cross between B. nigra and B. oleracea. It is superior to other brassica species in terms of seed size, drought and heat tolerance, and low rates of seed shattering at maturity and harvest. Compared to other brassicas, carinata has considerably higher yields (2500-3000 kg/ha), with continuous crop improvement increasing this potential. It has high contents of erucic and linolenic acid in the extracted oil and only 6% saturated hydrocarbon.
High erucic acid and glucosinolates make it unfit for human and animal consumption. The isothiocyanates released by the hydrolysis of glucosinolates present in carinata are potent bio fumigants that could control soil borne diseases, insects, and weeds. Additionally, resistance of carinata to diseases such as black leg and Sclerotinia stem rot is superior to that displayed by other brassicas. Overall, based on crop (and fuel) yields per unit area and the nature of its fatty acid composition, carinata is an efficient bioenergy feedstock.