Influence of oil extraction method on properties of canola biodiesel, epoxies, and protein-based plastics

• Canola oil extraction methods were used to test effect on epoxy resin and biodiesel.
• Canola meal protein isolates were used to test effect on protein-based plastics.
• Oil extraction method influenced mechanical properties of protein-based plastics.
• Oil extraction method had limited influence on properties of cured epoxy resins.
• Oil extraction method had no significant influence biodiesel properties.

Canola oil was extracted using a liquid carbon dioxide extraction process (LCE), laboratory screw-pressing, and industrial solvent extraction. Oilseed meal generated from these methods was used to extract proteins for protein-based plastics, and the oil was used to produce both epoxy resins and biodiesel. Protein isolates obtained from the LCE-generated meal produced plastics with higher toughness and elongation, but lower tensile strength and modulus, than those using meal obtained from screw pressing and solvent extraction. The oils extracted using the LCE process produced cured epoxy resins with higher flexural modulus than those produced from solvent-extracted oil. However, dynamic mechanical properties such as storage and loss modulus showed no significant differences with respect to oil extraction method. Oils obtained from extraction methods had similar fatty acid profiles and produced biodiesel with no significant differences in properties.