erucic acid

[ ih-roo-sik ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a solid fatty acid, a homologue of oleic acid, derived from oils of mustard seed and rapeseed.

erucic acid

/ ɪˈruːsɪk /

noun

1. a crystalline fatty acid derived from the oils of rapeseed, mustard seed, and wallflower seed

Word History and Origins

Origin of erucic acid¹

1865–70; < New Latin Eruc ( a ) the rocket genus ( Latin ērūca; rocket ² ) + -ic

Example Sentences

Rapeseed oil contains very high levels of erucic acid, which in large amounts can be toxic to humans.

From Seattle Times

However, canola oil — a contraction of “Canadian” and “ola,” which means oil — is bred to be low in erucic acid.

From Seattle Times

It can’t contain more than 2 percent erucic acid; in 2017, the average level was only 0.01 percent.

From Seattle Times

This is mainly a reaction to myths that have circulated on the Internet about its perils; they are based on the misperception that the oil is made from rapeseed, which contains high levels of erucic acid, a compound that can be toxic to humans.

From New York Times

The canola plant was developed by natural crossbreeding from the rapeseed plant, and contains very low levels of erucic acid.

From New York Times