Canola refers to a cultivar of either Rapeseed (''Brassica napus L.'') or Field Mustard (''Brassica campestris L.'' or ''Brassica Rapa var.''). Its seeds are used to produce edible oil suitable for consumption by humans and livestock. The oil is also suitable for use as biodiesel.

Originally, Canola was bred naturally from rapeseed in Canada by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson in the early 1970s, but it has a very different nutritional profile in addition to much less erucic acid. The name "canola" was derived from "Canadian oil, low acid" in 1978. Genetically modified rapeseed, sometimes is referred to as Rapeseed 00. A product known as LEAR (for ''low erucic acid rapeseed'') derived from cross-breeding of multiple lines of ''Brassica juncea'' may also be referred to as canola oil and is considered safe for human consumption.

History

Canola was developed through conventional plant breeding from rapeseed, an oilseed plant already used in ancient civilization as a fuel. The word “rape” in rapeseed comes from the Latin word “''rapum'',” meaning turnip. Turnip, rutabaga, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and many other vegetables are related to the two natural canola varieties commonly grown, which are cultivars of ''Brassica napus'' and ''Brassica rapa''. The change in name serves to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has much higher erucic acid content.

Hundreds of years ago, rapeseed oil was used as a fuel in lamps in Asia and Europe. The Chinese and Indians used a form of rapeseed oil that was unrefined (natural). Its use was limited until the development of steam power, when machinists found rapeseed oil clung to water- or steam-washed metal surfaces better than other lubricants. World War II saw high demand for the oil as a lubricant for the rapidly increasing number of steam engines in naval and merchant ships. When the war blocked European and Asian sources of rapeseed oil, a critical shortage developed and Canada began to expand its limited rapeseed production.

After the war, demand declined sharply and farmers began to look for other uses for the plant and its products. Rapeseed oil extracts were first put on the market in 1956–1957 as food products, but these suffered from several unacceptable characteristics. Rapeseed oil had a distinctive taste and a disagreeable greenish colour due to the presence of chlorophyll. It also contained a high concentration of erucic acid. Experiments on animals have pointed to the possibility that erucic acid, consumed in large quantities, may cause heart damage, although Indian researchers have published findings that call into question these conclusions and the implication that the consumption of mustard or rapeseed oil is dangerous. Feed meal from the rapeseed plant also was not particularly appealing to livestock, due to high levels of sharp-tasting compounds called glucosinolates, and they would not eat it.

A variety developed in 1998 is considered to be the most disease- and drought-resistant Canola variety of rapeseed to date. This and other recent varieties have been produced by using genetic engineering. Currently, 82% of the rapeseed crops planted in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are GM (genetically modified) herbicide-tolerant canola varieties.

Canola was originally a trademark, but is now a generic term for edible varieties of rapeseed oil. In Canada, an official definition of canola is codified in Canadian law.

Production and trade

Rapeseed was once considered a specialty crop in Canada, but Canola now has become a major American cash crop. Canada and the United States produce between 7 and 10 million tonnes of canola seed per year. Annual Canadian exports total 3 to 4 million tonnes of the seed, 800,000 tonnes of canola oil and 1 million tonnes of canola meal. GM canola may not be grown in any of the countries banning GMOs and some of those even ban importation of the end products. Within the United States, 90% of the canola crop is grown in North Dakota.

Rapeseed is the highest-producing oil-seed crop in the USA. An Oregon State University researcher has determined that growing winter rapeseed for hybrid Canola seed appears possible in central Oregon, USA, but the state prohibits it from being grown in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties because it may attract bees away from specialty seed crops such as carrots, which require bees for pollination. The rapeseed blossom is a major source of nectar for honeybees.

The major customers of canola seed are Japan, Mexico, China, and Pakistan, while the bulk of canola oil and meal goes to the United States, with smaller amounts shipped to Mexico, China, and Europe. World production of rapeseed oil in the 2002–2003 season was about 14 million metric tons. In the 2010–2011 season, world production is estimated to be at 58.4 million tonnes. The United States is a net consumer of canola oil, having used 3 billion pounds in 2010, 2.5 billion of which was imported from Canada.

The main price-discovery mechanism for worldwide canola trade is the ICE Futures Canada (formerly Winnipeg Commodity Exchange) canola futures contract. Rapeseed is traded on the Euronext exchange.

Canola oil

Canola oil is made at a processing facility by crushing the genetically modified rapeseed. Approximately 43% of a seed is oil. What remains is a rapeseed meal that is tolerated by livestock and has become a high quality animal feed. 22.68 kilograms (50 pounds) of rapeseed makes approximately 10 liters (2.64 US gallons) of canola oil. Canola oil is a key ingredient in many foods. Its reputation as a healthy oil has created high demand in markets around the world.

The oil has many non-food uses, and often replaces non-renewable resources in products including industrial lubricants, biofuels, candles, lipsticks, and newspaper inks.

The average density of canola oil is 0.92 g/ml.

Health benefits

! Compound !! Family !! % of total
Oleic acid	ω-9	61%
Linoleic acid	ω-6	21%
Alpha-linolenic acid	ω-3	11% 9%
Saturated fatty acids		7%
Palmitic acid		4%
Stearic acid		2%
Trans fat		0.4%

Canola oil is low in saturated fat (less than 7%), is high in monounsaturated fat, and has a beneficial omega-3 fatty acid profile (which has well established heart health benefits) and is recognized by many health professional organizations including the American Dietetic Association, and American Heart Association. Canola oil has been given a qualified health claim from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration based on the theory that the absence of saturated fats (consumption of which may cause coronary heart disease) in the oil content makes it a healthy food.

Erucic acid issues

Although wild rapeseed oil contains significant amounts of erucic acid, a known toxin, the cultivar used to produce commercial, food-grade canola oil was bred to contain less than 2% erucic acid, levels that are not believed to cause harm in humans and no health effects have been associated with consumption by humans of the genetically modified oil. Although rumors that canola oil can cause dangerous health problems circulated, there is no reason to believe canola oil poses unusual health risks and its consumption in food-grade forms is generally recognized as safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Biodiesel

Because of the lower levels of the toxic and irritating properties of genetically modified rapeseed oil, ''Canola'' oil is a more promising source for manufacturing biodiesel than the natural oil as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels.

Genetic modification issues

A genetically engineered rapeseed that is tolerant to herbicide was first introduced to Canada in 1995. Today 80% of the acres sown are genetically modified canola. A 2010 study conducted in North Dakota found herbicide resistant transgenes in 80% of wild natural rapeseed plants. The escape of the genetically modified plants has raised concerns that the build-up of herbicide resistance in feral canola and related weeds could make it more difficult to manage these plants using herbicides.

Legal issues

Genetically modified rapeseed, canola, has become a point of controversy and contentious legal battles. In one high-profile case (Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser) the Monsanto Company sued Percy Schmeiser for patent infringement after his field was contaminated with Monsanto's patented Roundup Ready glyphosate-tolerant canola. The Supreme Court ruled that Percy was in violation of Monsanto's patent because he knew Monsanto's variety was growing on his land, but he was not required to pay Monsanto damages since he did not benefit financially from its presence. On March 19, 2008, Schmeiser and Monsanto Canada Inc. came to an out-of-court settlement with him whereby Monsanto would pay for the clean-up costs of the contamination, which came to a total of $660 Canadian.

The introduction of the genetically modified crop to Australia is generating considerable controversy. Canola is Australia's third biggest crop, and is used often by wheat farmers as a break crop to improve soil quality. As of 2008 the only genetically modified crops in Australia were non-food crops: carnations and cotton. In 2003, Australia's gene technology regulator approved the release of canola altered to make it resistant to Glufosinate ammonium, a herbicide.

See also

Rapeseed

Triangle of U

References

External links

Review of University of Alberta Canola Breeding Program

Swathing and Harvesting Canola

Canola Production

North Dakota State University picture comparing canola oil fatty acid content with other oils.

USDA-ERS Briefing Room - Canola Summary of canola production, trade, and consumption as well as links to relevant USDA reports.

Category:Brassica Category:Vegetable oils

ar:كانولا bg:Рапица ca:Colza cv:Рапсă cs:Brukev řepka cy:Rêp da:Raps de:Rapsöl et:Raps es:Brassica napus eo:Kolzo fa:کلزا fr:Colza gl:Colza hr:Uljana_repica ko:유채 id:Brassica napus is:Repja it:Brassica napus he:לפתית lv:Kanola lt:Rapsas hu:Repce nl:Koolzaad ja:セイヨウアブラナ no:Raps pl:Rzepak pt:Canola ru:Канола sk:Repka olejná sl:Oljna ogrščica fi:Rypsi sv:Raps tr:Kanola uk:Ріпак wa:Golzå yi:קאנאלא אויל bat-smg:Rapsos zh:油菜

name	Mika
background	solo_singer
birth name	Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr.
alias	Mica Penniman, Mika Penniman
born	August 18, 1983Beirut, Lebanon
origin	London, England, UK
instrument	Vocals, keyboards, Piano
genre	Pop, rock, power pop, pop rock, glam rock
occupation	Musician, singer-songwriter
years active	2006–present
label	Casablanca, Island, Universal Music
website	Mikasounds.com }}

Mika (; born Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr.; 18 August 1983) is a British singer-songwriter.

After recording his first extended play, ''Dodgy Holiday EP'', Mika released his first full-length studio album, ''Life in Cartoon Motion'', on Island Records in 2007. ''Life in Cartoon Motion'' sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a BRIT Award and receive a Grammy Award nomination. Two years later Mika released his second extended play, ''Songs for Sorrow'', of which limited edition copies are now sold out worldwide. In 2009 Mika released his second studio album, ''The Boy Who Knew Too Much''. Finishing his worldwide tour, Mika started writing and recording material for his third album, ''The Origin of Love'', stating it will be "more simplistic pop, less layered than the last one".

Biography

Mika was born in Beirut, the third of five children born to a Lebanese mother and an American father. When he was a year old his family was forced to leave war-torn Lebanon and moved to Paris. The first piano piece he learned to play was "Les Champs-Élysées", by Joe Dassin. At age seven, he wrote his first song, which he describes as an "awful" piano instrumental called "Angry". The family moved to London when he was nine years old. There, he attended the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle, where he experienced severe bullying. He also had problems with dyslexia. In response to these experiences Mika was home-schooled by his mother at the age of 12, for six to eight months. He then attended St Philip's School in Kensington, where he was the head of the Schola Cantorum (the St. Philip's Choir). Later he attended Westminster School and the Royal College of Music, which he left to record his first album at Casablanca Records. He has also slightly altered his given name, Mica, changing the "c" to a "k" because he was frustrated by how often people would mispronounce it.

Mika comes from a family of seven (Mika was one of five siblings). He has one younger brother and one younger sister along with two older sisters. His sister Yasmine, who works as an artist under the ''nom de plume'' DaWack, painted the cartoon art for his two albums ''Life in Cartoon Motion'' and ''The Boy Who Knew Too Much'', and she is currently a fashion designer. His sister Paloma was severely injured in October 2010 after falling from a third-storey window and being impaled on railings. Mika speaks French and Spanish fluently; in an interview on 28 September 2009 with The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 he commented that he had taken Mandarin Chinese for 9 years but did not speak it very well; he also mentioned that his three sisters did all speak it fluently.

As a child Mika was trained by Alla Ardakov (Ablaberdyeva), a Russian opera professional, and later attended the Royal College of Music in London. His debut radio appearance was on Dermot O'Leary's BBC Radio 2 show in September 2006. He also appeared on ''Later... with Jools Holland'', and on ''The Friday Night Project'' on 19 January 2007. Mika is rumoured to have a vocal range of five octaves, but claims that it is actually closer to three and a half octaves.

Mika denied allegations that he is steering clear of sexual taboos in order to appeal to the US market, pointing to the song "Billy Brown", which is about a married man who has an affair with another man. He is quoted as saying, "If I was worried about sexual taboos I certainly wouldn't have made the record I made. It has nothing to do with that. It has more to do with self-respect." In an interview in the US gay magazine ''Out'' he stated that "there is a way of discussing sexuality without using labels."

In a September 2009 interview in ''Gay & Night'' Mika commented on his sexuality: "I've never ever labelled myself. But having said that; I've never limited my life, I've never limited who I sleep with... Call me whatever you want. Call me bisexual, if you need a term for me..." Later he stated in an interview with This Is London "I consider myself label-less because I could fall in love with anybody - literally - any type, any body. I'm not picky."

In March 2010 Mika was named in France a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for services to music. He is the youngest person to receive the award.

Musical career

Early career: 2004–2006

Mika's first single was a limited 7"/download release called "Relax, Take It Easy" (2006). It was play listed by BBC Radio 1 in the United Kingdom, and made Record of the Week by DJ Scott Mills. The ''Dodgy Holiday EP'' also became available for download. The song "Billy Brown" was available for free download for a week from the iTunes Store. A studio outtake titled 'Overrated', which was recorded in 2004, was "unofficially" released online.

''Life in Cartoon Motion'': 2006–2008

In January 2007 Mika was on the top of the BBC News website's Sound of 2007 poll. His single "Grace Kelly" was released by Universal Music for digital download on 8 January 2007. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart on 21 January 2007.

Mika's début album ''Life in Cartoon Motion'' was released on 5 February 2007, and has brought comparison with artists such as Freddie Mercury, Scissor Sisters, Elton John, Prince, Robbie Williams and David Bowie. "Grace Kelly," in fact, references Mercury in the lyrics: "I try to be like Grace Kelly/But all her looks were too sad/So I try a little Freddie/I've gone identity mad."

Mika was the musical act for ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' on 26 March 2007 and 14 February 2008 and for ''Jimmy Kimmel Live'' on 27 March 2007. He also performed live on ''So You Think You Can Dance'' on 26 July 2007.

thumb|upright|left|Mika live in concertMika toured the United States in June 2007, with support from Sara Bareilles and Natalia Lesz.

On 10 October 2007 Mika began his Dodgy Holiday Tour, playing at venues across Europe. On 17 November 2007 Mika started the UK leg of his tour with support from Palladium. The North American leg of his tour began in January 2008 with support from The Midway State and Creature and continued through February with a stop in Los Angeles for the 50th Grammy Awards.

His debut album ''Life in Cartoon Motion'' has a coming of age theme and deals with his transition from childhood to the present, though he has stated that not all of the songs are autobiographical. His songs often deal with difficult topics. For instance, in "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)" the theme of larger women suffering from discrimination is explored. Mika has said that the fact that his mother was a big woman, and that he had seen the prejudices against her, helped him to write the song. In another example of dealing with more difficult subject matter, in the song "Billy Brown", Mika writes about a married man who has a homosexual affair.

On 20 February 2008 Mika opened the 2008 BRIT Awards with a live performance of "Love Today," "Grace Kelly," and a duet, "Standing in the Way of Control," with Beth Ditto. He was later awarded the BRIT Award for Best British Breakthrough Artist.

Mika has reportedly written songs for other musicians, saying "I write songs for other people under different names most of the time. I have a little family of three names. One of them has been discovered – it's Alice."

''The Boy Who Knew Too Much'': 2009–2010

Prior to the release of his second studio album, Mika released a limited-edition extended play titled ''Songs for Sorrow'' on 8 June 2009. The EP includes 4 tracks and a 68-page book featuring lyrics and exclusive illustrated interpretations of each song by some of Mika’s favourite artists. The song "Blue Eyes" was used to promote the EP, and was A-listed on the BBC Radio 2 playlist.

Mika's second studio album ''The Boy Who Knew Too Much'' was released on 21 September 2009. Mika recorded the majority of the album in Los Angeles with producer and musician Greg Wells, who also produced his debut album ''Life In Cartoon Motion''. The album has been described as Mika dealing with his adolescent teenage years and "in a sense is kind of part two" of his first album. He got a Bafta in 2006 for best Male Artist Worldwide.

The album was originally titled ''We Are Golden'' after the first single from the album, "We Are Golden". On July 20, 2009 in an on-air interview with DJ Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1, Mika revealed he was considering renaming the album, because he wanted "something a little more ridiculous." On 6 August 2009 it was confirmed that the album's title would change to ''The Boy Who Knew Too Much''.

The first single from the album, "We Are Golden", made its radio debut in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2009, on BBC Radio 2 and was released for download on 6 September 2009, with the physical release following on 7 September 2009. The single debuted at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart on 13 September 2009. Mika's promotional tour of the single included live performances at the iTunes Festival 2009 at The Roundhouse in Camden, London and on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in September 2009. It was reported that Mika spent £25,000 on drinks after inviting fans to join him at his local pub via Twitter on 7 September 2009 to celebrate the release of his single.

"Blame It on the Girls" was released as the second single in the United States and Japan. This was alongside "Rain" being the second single in the United Kingdom which was released on November 23. It was confirmed that "Blame It On The Girls" will be the third single in the United Kingdom and will be released 15 February 2010. His American promotional tour consisted of live performances on Good Morning America in New York City on 25 September 2009 and the Late Show with David Letterman on 14 October 2009.

In November 2009 Mika performed 'Rain' and 'We Are Golden' live at the Sydney Opera House for the Australian Idol Grand Final. He also performed on Sunrise on the Seven Network in Australia. On 30 November 2009, Mika performed "Let It Snow" in a duet with Japanese pop star Hikaru Utada. On 21 March 2010 Mika performed "Gave It All Away" with Boyzone on ITV1 for ''Boyzone: A Tribute To Stephen Gately''.

In May 2010 Mika released his new single "Kick Ass", the title track to the 2010 Marvel Comics film "Kick-Ass".

''The Origin of Love'': 2011-2012

Mika has begun recording his new album. He has stated in numerous interviews that the new album will be more simplistic and less layered than the previous album. Mika announced the title of the album, The Origin of Love in a french interview on 17 June. Mika has said in numerous interviews that he will include a number of French tracks on the album. He has also said that "(The album is) quite weird. It's a little crazy, it's like a mix of Daft Punk and Fleetwood Mac". He describes the album as less child-like and more serious. The first single released from the album is ''Elle me dit''. It is Mika's first French track. It was released online on 1 July 2011. The album is expected to be released in 2012.

Releases

Discography

;Studio albums

2007: ''Life in Cartoon Motion''

2009: ''The Boy Who Knew Too Much''

2012: ''The Origin Of Love''

;EPs

2006: ''Dodgy Holiday''

2007: ''iTunes Festival: London''

2009: ''Songs for Sorrow''

2009: ''iTunes Live: London Festival '09''

Filmography

2007 ''Live in Cartoon Motion''

2008 ''Live Parc des Princes Paris''

Awards and nominations

style="background:#B0C4DE;"	Year	Organisation	Nominated work	Award	Result
			Sound of 2007
	Best-Selling New Artist
Best-Selling Male Pop/Rock Artist
Best-Selling British Artist
	Best Solo Artist
rowspan="2"	Best Track
	Record of the Year	Third place
	The 50th Grammy Awards	"Love Today"	Best Dance Recording
	Mika	British Male Solo Artist
''Life in Cartoon Motion''	British Album
	British Single
	British Breakthrough Act
2009	MTV Europe Music Awards 2009	Best Male
	2010	2010 BRIT Awards	British Male Solo Artist

Other awards and nominations
Year	Organisation	Nominated work	Award	Result
			Best Breakthrough Artist
Best Hair on an Artist
Vodafone Live Awards	Best Male Artist
UK Festival Award	Best Festival Pop Act
BT Digital Music Awards	Best Pop Act
	Best International Non-Spanish Language Artist
rowspan="2"	Best International Non-Spanish Language Song
	Best Track
	Best British Act
Best Male Artist
		International Revelation of the Year
"Relax, Take It Easy"	International Song of the Year
''Life in Cartoon Motion''	International Album of the Year
"Relax, Take It Easy"	Music Video of the Year
Swiss Music Awards		Best International Newcomer
rowspan="2"	Best International Male Artist
Best International Newcomer
	Best British Male Artist
''Life in Cartoon Motion''	Best British Album
Amadeus Awards (Austrian Music Awards)		Best International Single
MTV Video Music Awards Japan	rowspan="2"	Best New Artist Video
MTV Australia Video Music Awards	Video of the Year
TRL Awards (Italy)	Mika	Man of the Year
		Best Selling British Song
	Songwriter of the Year
Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards	Best Male Singer
MTV Asia Awards	Favorite Breakthrough Artist
	Best International Pop
Best International Male Artist

Band members

Current members

Cherisse Ofosu Osei - Drums

Jimmy Sims - Bass and Keyboards

David Whitmey - Keyboards

Martin Waugh - Guitars

iMMa - backing vocals

Ida Falk Winland - backing vocals

Ben Epstein - Bass ''(temporary replacement for Jimmy Sims)''

Former members

Luke Juby - Keyboards

Mike Choi - Bass

Saraynade - Backup Vocals

Sam Smith - Backup Vocals

References

External links

Mika's official website

Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the Royal College of Music Category:Bisexual musicians Category:BRIT Award winners Category:British people of Lebanese descent Category:English male singers Category:English singer-songwriters Category:Lebanese male singers Category:Ivor Novello Award winners Category:LGBT musicians from the United Kingdom Category:Old Westminsters Category:People from London Category:Wonky Pop acts Category:World Music Awards winners Category:Pseudonymous musicians Category:People educated at Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

ar:ميكا (فنان) bg:Мика ca:Mika Penniman cs:Mika da:Mika (sanger) de:Mika (Musiker) et:Mika el:Mika es:Mika (cantante) fa:میکا (خواننده) fr:Mika (chanteur) gl:Mika ko:미카 (가수) hr:Mika id:Mica Penniman it:Mika he:מיקה (זמר) ka:მიკა (მომღერალი) lv:Mika lt:Mika (atlikėjas) hu:Mika nl:Mika ja:ミーカ no:Mika nn:Artisten Mika pl:Mika (muzyk) pt:Mika ro:Mika ru:Мика sq:Mika sk:Mika sr:Mika sh:Mika fi:Mika (laulaja) sv:Mika (sångare) th:มิคา tr:Mika (şarkıcı) uk:Міка vi:Mika (ca sĩ) zh:米卡 (歌手)

name	Elizabeth Rider
othernames	Lisa, Elizabeth
birth name	Lisa Rider
birth date	1957
birth place	Upton, Nottinghamshire, England
occupation	Actress
children	}}

Elizabeth Rider is an English actress best known for her recurring role as DI Lynette Driver in the BBC soap opera, ''Doctors'', which she has appeared in 2009 and often from 2010.

Career

Elizabeth Rider made an early television appearance in as Norah in the 1979 mini series Testament of Youth.

In the late 1990s she landed the role of Sheila Thwaite in The Lakes. In 2006 she landed the role of playing in ''Coronation Street'' as Ashley Peacock's biological mother. Also she had a ten episode role playing Jill Green ''EastEnders''.

Rider appeared in series two and three of the drama At Home with the Braithwaites in 2001 and 2002, as Helen Braithwaite. She also voiced Atris in the video game ''Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords''. She also appeared in five episodes in series 23 of the long-running medical drama series Casualty playing troubled mum Cathy Malone.

Rider has recently appeared in Accused (2010), Marchlands (2011), the final series of Waking the Dead (2011) and can currently be seen in the Doctor Who spin off, The Sarah Jane Adventures (2011).

Personal life

Elizabeth (Lisa) Rider is originally from the village of Upton in Nottinghamshire and went to the Lilley and Stone High School for Girls in Newark between 1969 and 1976. Lisa is her real name, Elizabeth is her stage name.

External links

Category:English actors Category:Living people Category:1957 births