The 46A12 and 46A16 lines of canola (Brassica napus) were developed through the combination of chemical mutagenesis, to achieve the high oleic acid trait, and traditional breeding with registered canola varieties. Line 46A12 was derived from a single plant resulting from a cross between the high oleic acid parent, NS699, and NS1172, a broad-based spring canola population originating from European germplasm. Line 46A16 was derived from a cross between the high oleic acid parent, NS672, and NS1167, a broad-based population originating from Canadian germplasm. The processed oil derived from these novel varieties has levels of oleic acid similar to that of peanut and olive oils. <br>The high oleic acid trait in lines 46A12 and 46A16 was selected following chemical mutagenesis by exposing seeds of canola varieties Regent, Topas and Andor to a solution of ethylnitrosourea (8 mM) in dimethylsulfoxide. Ethylnitrosurea is a commonly used chemical mutagen that affects DNA by chemically altering base pairs. It is believed that the induced mutation in lines 46A12 and 46A16 is analogous to that in fad2 mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. The fad2 gene encodes a desaturase enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of C18:1 to C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in plant cells. A mutation within the fad2 gene that blocks expression of an active desaturase enzyme results in the accumulation of C18:1 oleic acid at the expense of linoleic and linolenic acid production.<br>Based on the information provided, there are no novel proteins produced and only the refined seed oil will be used as a food. Refined edible canola oil does not contain any detectable protein and consists of purified glycosides. Other than the traits of high oleic acid content and decreased linolenic acid content in the seed oil, the disease, pest and other agronomic characteristics of the 46A12 and 46A16 canola lines were comparable to other commercially available canola varieties.