Key Findings:
The value of flaxseed in health applications is described. The authors note that very long chain PUFA could be developed from ALA in plants. Industrial applications for flax oil and plant fiber and straw include linoleum, sustainable bio-products and green building materials. The molecular and gene expression experiments are not widely studied in flax, which may also expand the applications and uses of flax in future. The authors suggest that there is currently a lack of basic knowledge of flax genomics, and a significant need for flax breeding in order to develop flaxseed for various nutrition and bioproducts.
ABSTRACT:
The archaeological evidence of flax cultivation dates back to >6000 BC and it is considered as one of the oldest and most useful crops. Components of flax have diverse uses. Cultivar development of flax is currently focused on enhancing the oil content and nutritional value to meet the demand of nutraceutical market supply, as an alternate source of fish oil, a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6). Flax seed is also rich in soluble and insoluble fibers and lignans, makes it useful as a dietary supplement. Intake of flaxseed in daily diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. There is also evidence that flax has anticancer effects in breast, prostate and colon cancers. Flax fiber is used in the textile industry for linen cloth and also in paper industry. The residues remaining after the oil extraction from linseed contains about 35-40% protein and 3-4% oil, a rich source of feed to livestock like cattle and buffalo. Flax is naturally high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), more specifically in n3 fatty acids; and hence flax seed as a component of poultry meal, can provide n3 enriched eggs. Rapid drying linseed oil is used for several purposes in industry, including paint and flooring (linoleum) industries. Because of its novel oil profile, flax may also be a suitable platform crop for synthesis of specialized industrial and nutraceutical products. (Authors abstract)
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