Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 22 ISSUE 4
Written by Simona NIȚĂ, Lucian Dumitru NIȚĂ, Nicoleta MATEOC – SÎRB, Anișoara DUMA COPCEA, Teodor MATEOC-SÎRB, Casiana MIHUȚ, Natalia MOCANU

Today, rapeseed ranks 5th among edible plant oil, with wide uses in industry and nutrition, as well as in medicine. The use of rapeseed is quite widespread: it is used in the manufacture of margarine, of paints and lakes, of soap, in the textile industry, in combination with sulfur, as well as unrefined oil used in the lubrication of the engines and as biofuel with traits like those of the diesel. Promoters of rapeseed cultivation claim that rapeseed oil is of high quality, for both cooking and salads, being the healthiest food oil. Research on rapeseed and its industrial uses are focused on four main directions: obtaining fuels (known under different names: green diesel, biodiesel, etc.) intended for use in diesel engines; obtaining industrial solvents – because the current solvents of mineral origin contain aggressive and toxic aromatic compounds for humans and animals; obtaining lubricants for industry and agriculture, including hydraulic oils; and obtaining specific fatty acids – especially erucic acid, component of antifoaming products from the detergents industry. Research conducted led to both theoretically and practically important results regarding this crop.

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