Glabrous (hairless) canary seed is a true cereal grain that received novel food approval from Health Canada in 2016 and GRAS status from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2015. It is a highly nutritious grain containing exceptionally high amount of protein (19-23%) compared with common cereal grains. The canary seed proteins are gluten-free and contain bioactive peptides which are found to provoke hypotensive, anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects in human cell lines. The grains are also rich in other bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and carotenoids. Phenolic acids are present in hairless canary seed at levels of 155-207 µg/g with ferulic acid being the dominant polyphenol. Ferulic acid is a potent antioxidant which is found to diminish the damaging effect of free radicals and to curb high cholesterol and high blood pressure <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. The carotenoids in hairless canary seed are present at higher levels (15.2-19.5 µg/g) than that in durum semolina (7.1 µg/g). Lutein and zeaxanthin, the main carotenoids in canary seed, are associated with reduced risk of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataract. The grains also possess concentrations of starch (55-60%) and oil (5-7%) comparable to other grains. The dehulled hairless canary seeds (also called groats) can be used as whole-grain flour in many food formulations such as baked goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, snacks, etc. The grain can also be fractionated into its chemical components as a sustainable source of protein, starch and phytonutrients for use in both food and non-food applications. Details about the development of glabrous canary seed as a novel and functional food and its potential in health-promotion and disease-prevention will be highlighted.

Glabrous canary seed: Novel and functional food ingredient

2019 Fall National Meeting

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