View source for Colza oil

'''Colza oil''' is a non-drying [[oil]] obtained from the seeds of ''[[Brassica rapa|Brassica campestris]]'', var. ''oleifera'', a variety of the plant that produces [[Rutabaga|Swedish turnip]]s. Colza is extensively cultivated in [[France]], [[Belgium]], [[United States of America]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Germany]]. In France, especially, the extraction of the oil is an important industry. In commerce, colza is classed with [[rapeseed|rapeseed oil]], to which it is very closely allied in both source and properties. It is a comparatively in-odorous oil of a yellow colour, having a [[specific gravity]] varying between 0.912 to 0.920. The cake left after extraction of the oil is a valuable feeding substance for [[pigs]]. 

==Uses==

Colza oil is extensively used as a [[lubricant]] for machinery.

Colza oil was used extensively in European domestic lighting before the advent of coal (city) gas or kerosene. It was the preferred oil for train pot lamps, used for lighting [[Passenger car (rail)|railway coaches]] in the [[United Kingdom]] before [[gas lighting]], and later [[electric lighting]], were adopted. Burned in a Carcel lamp, it was part of the definition of the French standard measure for [[lighting|illumination]], the [[carcel]], for most of the nineteenth century. In [[lighthouses]], for example in early [[Canada]], colza oil was used before the introduction of [[mineral oil]]. The colza oil was used with the [[Argand burner]] because it was cheaper<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/eng/CCG/USQUE_Early_Lights |title=USQUE AD MARE - Early Lights - Canadian Coast Guard |publisher=Ccg-gcc.gc.ca |date=2008-03-31 |accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref> than [[whale oil]].

Colza oil was used in Gombault's Caustic Balsam,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racehorseherbal.com/Herbal_Therapies/Liniments/Gombaults/gombaults.html |title=Gombaults |publisher=Racehorseherbal.com |date= |accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref> a popular horse and human [[linament]] at the turn of the [[20th century]]. (Note that the ingredients listed in this link are similar to, but not the same as, the list on the actual bottle).

Among the more unusual applications of colza oil is the calming of choppy seas, where the oil modifies the [[surface tension]] of the water and rapidly smooths the surface. Rescue and recovery operations have been made far less risky in this way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E1DB1F3FEF33A25757C0A9659C94629ED7CF |title=Oil Tested in Storms at Sea. - Article Preview - The |publisher=New York Times |date=2010-03-03 |accessdate=2010-03-14}}</ref>

More recently, colza has been cultivated in Europe as an ingredient for [[biodiesel]] fuels.

==References==

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Colza Oil}}
[[Category:Lubricants]]
[[Category:Cooking oils]]
[[Category:Vegetable oils]]


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[[ca:Oli de colza]]
[[cs:Řepkový olej]]
[[da:Rapsolie]]
[[de:Rapsöl]]
[[es:Aceite de colza]]
[[fr:Huile de colza]]
[[it:Olio di colza]]
[[nl:Koolzaadolie]]
[[ja:菜種油]]
[[no:Rapsolje]]
[[pl:Olej rzepakowy]]
[[pt:Azeite de colza]]
[[sv:Rapsolja]]
[[Category:2Fix]]