Nutraceutical functions of flaxseed: a review of beneficial effects and determination of its components

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops for industrial as well for food and feed purposes. By virtue of the presence of physiologically active food components that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient. Scientific evidences support consumption of flaxseed for its high content in omega-3, omega-6 rich oil, α-linolenic acid, lignans, high quality proteins and fibers, compounds which are biologically active in the prevention of some chronic diseases such as many types of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular stroke. Animal nutrition sector has also shown a big interest on flaxseed. Since the fatty acid profile of the meat and fat is directly affected by the source of fat in diet in swine and poultry, feeding omega-3 enriched diets by the addition of flaxseed would increase the omega-3 content in eggs and meat and thus enrich the products. Furthermore,

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops for industrial as well for food and feed purposes. By virtue of the presence of physiologically active food components that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient. Scientific evidences support consumption of flaxseed for its high content in omega-3, omega-6 rich oil, α-linolenic acid, lignans, high quality proteins and fibers, compounds which are biologically active in the prevention of some chronic diseases such as many types of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular stroke. Animal nutrition sector has also shown a big interest on flaxseed. Since the fatty acid profile of the meat and fat is directly affected by the source of fat in diet in swine and poultry, feeding omega-3 enriched diets by the addition of flaxseed would increase the omega-3 content in eggs and meat and thus enrich the products. Furthermore, flaxseed fiber has a wide range of applications in various areas such as textile, paper, and biocomposite manufacturing. The soluble flaxseed mucilage is patented as a carrier-matrix and dermal lubricants in cosmetics. The qualitative and quantitative determination of flaxseed constituents has been carried out by using several analytical techniques most of which are based on gas chromatography and some being based on high-performance liquid chromatography. The present paper reviews recent data on flaxseed components uses and beneficial effects, and the different methods reported for their determination.