Flax and flaxseed oil: an ancient medicine & modern functional food

Development of molecular markers based on real-time PCR to detect flax and sesame in commercial amaranth products

Amaranthus, Sesamum indicum, and Linum usitatissimum are the most popular oilseed grains worldwide. Protein-rich Amaranthus contains bioactive peptides, is nutritious, and exhibits anti-allergic properties. Sesamum indicum is a primary trigger of anaphylaxis. Linum usitatissimum also displays allergenic properties. A DNA marker assessable using quantitative real-time PCR was developed to detect S. indicum and L. usitatissimum as allergenic contaminants of anti-allergenic Amaranthus. The efficiency of each primer set ranged from 90-98%, and high linear correlation (R2 > 0.99) was obtained between crossover values and the log DNA concentration. We established a Ct value of 0.1% of the binary as a cutoff. The practical application of the designed marker was confirmed by analyzing 20 commercial products. The qPCR system developed for detecting flaxseed and sesame can be applied for regulatory monitoring of allergenic substances in commercial amaranth-containing foods, thus contributing to protecting public health and safety.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-024-01584-2.

Does flaxseed supplementation affect apo-lipoproteins? A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis

Several studies indicated the ameliorating effects of flaxseed supplementation on apolipoproteins, although others have conflicting results. Therefore, the present research was conducted in order to accurately and definitively understand the effect of flaxseed on apolipoproteins in adults. All articles published up to Juan 2024 were systematically searched through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to collect all randomized clinical trials (RCTs). A random effects model was used to measure the combined effect sizes. Also, standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were used to report the combined effect size. Our results showed that flaxseed supplementation significantly reduced apo-BI (SMD: -0.57; 95 % CI: -0.95, -0.19, p = 0.003; I2 = 83.2 %, heterogeneity p < 0.001) and lipo(a) decreased (SMD: -0.34; 95 % CI: -0.59, -0.09, p=0.007; I2=30.3 %, heterogeneity p=0.197). However, flaxseed did not change apo-AI levels (SMD: -0.37; 95 % CI: -0.87, 0.13, p = 0.146; I2 = 89.2 %, p-heterogeneity < 0.001). This meta-analysis has shown that flaxseed supplementation may have beneficial effects on apolipoproteins. Future high-quality, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm our results.

The Novel Nephroprotective Activity of Flaxseed Oil on Diazinon-induced Kidney Damage in Male Rats

In male rats, the flaxseed oil (FS-oil) modulatory properties were investigated on diazinon (DZN)-induced nephrotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups. To induce nephrotoxicity, animals received DZN (70 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Also, treatment groups received FS-oil (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The animal treatment was 28 consecutive days. On the 29th day, serum and kidney tissue samples were removed and serum levels of the creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), were measured. Also, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was applied for histological studies. DZN significantly increased the BUN, creatinine, and MDA levels compared to the control group. Besides, DZN significantly decreased the GPx and CAT activity in the kidney tissue. However, the modulatory effects of FS-oil were observed by improving renal enzyme factors, inhibiting oxidative stress, and histological change. This study demonstrated that FS-oil ameliorated DZN-induced nephrotoxicity and can be used as a preventive agent against DZN toxicity because of the FS-oil antioxidant characteristics.

The effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on anthropometric indices: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation has shown promise as an anti-obesity agent in various clinical trials, although results have been inconsistent. To provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of flaxseed supplementation on anthropometric indices, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed.

METHODS

We searched several international databases until August 2023, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were analyzed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Sixty-four trials comprising 72 treatment arms were included. All studies reported the intervention types (Lignans, Whole flaxseed, and Flaxseed oil) and dosage. However, three studies did testing for purity, and 40 studies reported potency. Also, the risk of contamination with heavy metals was not mentioned in studies. Another limitation was the lack of blind evaluation in the studies. According to three trials included in the systematic review, flaxseed did not affect anthropometric indices. Our meta-analysis revealed significant reductions in body weight (WMD = -0.63 kg; 95 % CI: -1.00, -0.27, P < 0.001; I2 = 76.7 %, P < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.24 kg/m2, 95 % CI: -0.36, -0.11, P < 0.001; I2 = 78.5 %, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -1.43 cm, 95 % CI: -2.06, -0.80, P < 0.001; I2 = 81.1 %, P < 0.001) following flaxseed supplementation. Subgroup analyses indicated that interventions lasting 10-20 weeks, and studies involving subjects with higher BMI (>30 kg/m2) showed more significant anti-obesity effects. Based on the GRADE evaluation, body weight, BMI, and WC results were considered as moderate-certainty evidence.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that supplementation with flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) leads to meaningful improvements in body weight, BMI, and WC. Therefore, flaxseed can be considered as an adjunctive therapeutic approach in improving obesity.

Linum usitatissimum Delivery over Chitosan Nanobiopolymer: Enhanced Effects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Condition

Herein, chitosan nanoparticle (CHIT) was used as a safe and biocompatible matrix to carry flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) extract (FSE). The number of main features and bio-interface properties of CHIT-FSE were determined by SEM, DLS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and zeta potential analyses and compared to those of chitosan lacking FSE. A GC-MS analysis was also conducted to reveal the bioactive compounds of FSE. The active anchoring of the FSE phytomolecules over chitosan nanoparticles with enhanced thermal and structural stability was correspondingly verified. Subsequently, the influence of CHIT-FSE, CHIT-TPP, and FSE supplementation was assessed on hormonal and biochemical markers of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female rats and compared with untreated and healthy control groups. After 16 days of treatment, CHIT-FSE represented the best performance for controlling the serum levels of the studied biochemical (lipid profile and blood glucose level) and hormonal (insulin, testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormone) parameters. Considering the negligible therapeutic activity of CHIT-TPP, the enhanced activity of CHIT-FSE compared to only FSE was expounded based on the potent action of chitosan nanoparticles in enhanced stabilization, bioavailability, transport, and permeability of the therapeutically important phytomolecules. As per the results of this investigation, supporting medically important biomolecules over chitosan can enhance their therapeutic effectiveness in controlling PCOS.

Reduction of toxic aldehydes in heated flaxseed oil using sesame and perilla protein enzymatic hydrolysates

Reducing ability of sesame meal protein enzymatic hydrolysates (SMH) and perilla protein enzymatic hydrolysates (PMH) on the content of toxic aldehydes including acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, 2-hydroxylhexenal (HHE), and 2-hydroxyl nonenal (HNE), were evaluated in heated flaxseed oil at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 g. Adding SMH and PMH decreased the formation of secondary oxidation products and toxic aldehydes during heating. In particular, HHE and HNE were not detected, even at 0.01 g of protein concentration. Free radical scavenging activities in heated flaxseed oil significantly increased when 1.0 g of SMH and PMH were added (p < 0.05). Some volatiles including 2-ethylpyridine, pyrazines, and trimethylamine were formed or increased substantially in flaxseed oils with higher concentrations of SMH and PMH. In general, SMH showed higher antioxidative activity and reducing ability on the toxic aldehydes than PMH. Plant protein enzymatic hydrolysate could control the formation of toxic aldehydes during oxidation of ω-3 edible oil.

Amelioration of walnut, peony seed and camellia seed oils against D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment in mice by regulating gut microbiota

Diet adjustment will affect the health of gut microbiota, which in turn influences the development and function of the organism's brain through the gut-brain axis. Walnut oil (WO), peony seed oil (PSO) and camellia seed oil (CSO), as typical representatives of woody plant oils, have been shown to have the potential to improve cognitive impairment in mice, but the function mechanisms are not clear. In this study, we comparatively investigated the neuroprotective effects of these three oils on D-galactose (D-gal)-induced cognitive impairment in mice, and found that the ameliorative effect of WO was more prominent. During the behavioral experiments, supplementation with all three oils would improve spatial learning and memory functions in D-gal mice, with a significant reduction in the error times (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in step-down latency (p < 0.001); walnut oil supplementation also significantly increased the number of hidden platform traversals, the target quadrant spent times and percentage of distance (p < 0.05). The results of biomarker analysis showed that WO, in addition to significantly inhibiting D-gal-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation as did PSO, significantly increased the ACh content in the mouse brain (p < 0.05) and modulated neurotransmitter levels. The results of further microbiota diversity sequencing experiments also confirmed that dietary supplementation with all three oils affected the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota in mice. Among them, WO significantly restored the balance of the mouse gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes) and decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Clostridium, Shigella, Serratia), which was consistent with the results of behavioral experiments and biomarker analyses. Based on the analysis of the fatty acid composition of the three oils and changes in the gut microbiota, it is hypothesized that there is a correlation between the fatty acid composition of the dietary supplement oils and neuroprotective effects. The superiority of WO over PSO and CSO in improving cognitive impairment is mainly attributed to its balanced composition of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Gamma rays and sodium azide induced variations in bio-physiological and agronomical traits in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Linseed is a valuable oilseed crop with huge therapeutic importance due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is a self-pollinated crop with a low-yielding potential that restricts its improvement endeavors. To overcome low-yielding potential, individual and combination treatments of gamma rays and sodium azide were employed in widely grown linseed varieties. The results revealed a dose-dependent decline in seed germination, seedling height, pollen fertility, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents and a dose-independent decline in carbonic anhydrase activity. Bio-physiological parameters decreased substantially in combination treatments compared to individual treatments of gamma rays and sodium azide. In contrast, lower doses of gamma rays, sodium azide, and their combinations effectively increased mean values of yield and yield-attributing traits in a few putative mutants. Such putative mutants represent a valuable genetic resource that could be used in future breeding programs for the genetic improvement of linseed and related medicinal plants.

GroceryDB: Prevalence of Processed Food in Grocery Stores

The offering of grocery stores is a strong driver of consumer decisions, shaping their diet and long-term health. While highly processed food like packaged products, processed meat, and sweetened soft drinks have been increasingly associated with unhealthy diet, information on the degree of processing characterizing an item in a store is not straightforward to obtain, limiting the ability of individuals to make informed choices. Here we introduce GroceryDB, a database with over 50,000 food items sold by Walmart, Target, and Wholefoods, unveiling how big data can be harnessed to empower consumers and policymakers with systematic access to the degree of processing of the foods they select, and the potential alternatives in the surrounding food environment. The wealth of data collected on ingredient lists and nutrition facts allows a large scale analysis of ingredient patterns and degree of processing stratified by store, food category, and price range. We find that the nutritional choices of the consumers, translated as the degree of food processing, strongly depend on the food categories and grocery stores. Moreover, the data allows us to quantify the individual contribution of over 1,000 ingredients to ultra-processing. GroceryDB and the associated http://TrueFood.Tech/ website make this information accessible, guiding consumers toward less processed food choices while assisting policymakers in reforming the food supply.

Are oilseeds a new alternative protein source for human nutrition?

This review focuses on the potential use, nutritional value and beneficial health effects of oilseeds as a source of food protein. The process of extracting oil from oilseeds produces a by-product that is rich in proteins and other valuable nutritional and bioactive components. This product is primarily used for animal feed. However, as the demand for proteins continues to rise, plant-based proteins have a real success in food applications. Among the different plant protein sources, oilseeds could be used as an alternative protein source for human diet. The data we have so far show that oilseeds present a protein content of up to 40% and a relatively well-balanced profile of amino acids with sulphur-containing amino acids. Nevertheless, they tend to be deficient in lysine and rich in anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), which therefore means they have lower anabolic potential than animal proteins. To enhance their nutritional value, oilseed proteins can be combined with other protein sources and subjected to processes such as dehulling, heating, soaking, germination or fermentation to reduce their ANFs and improve protein digestibility. Furthermore, due to their bioactive peptides, oilseeds can also bring health benefits, particularly in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. However, additional nutritional data are needed before oilseeds can be endorsed as a protein source for humans.

Fatty Acid Release and Gastrointestinal Oxidation Status: Different Methods of Processing Flaxseed

Flaxseed has been recognized as a superfood worldwide due to its abundance of diverse functional phytochemicals and nutrients. Various studies have shown that flaxseed consumption is beneficial to human health, though methods of processing flaxseed may significantly affect the absorption and metabolism of its bioactive components. Hence, flaxseed was subjected to various processing methods including microwaving treatment, microwave-coupled dry milling, microwave-coupled wet milling, and high-pressure homogenization. In vitro digestion experiments were conducted to assess the impact of these processing techniques on the potential gastrointestinal fate of flaxseed oil. Even though more lipids were released by the flaxseed at the beginning of digestion after it was microwaved and dry-milled, the full digestion of flaxseed oil was still restricted in the intestine. In contrast, oil droplets were more evenly distributed in wet-milled flaxseed milk, and there was a greater release of fatty acids during simulated digestion (7.33 ± 0.21 μmol/mL). Interestingly, wet-milled flaxseed milk showed higher oxidative stability compared with flaxseed powder during digestion despite the larger specific surface area of its oil droplets. This study might provide insight into the choice of flaxseed processing technology for better nutrient delivery efficiency.

Enrichment of set yoghurt with flaxseed oil, flaxseed mucilage and free or encapsulated Lacticaseibacillus casei: Effect on probiotic survival and yoghurt quality attributes

This study was intended to develop yoghurt products incorporated with flaxseed mucilage (FM), flaxseed oil (FO) and free or encapsulated Lacticaseibacillus casei probiotics. FM (0.9%) and sodium alginate (2%) were used as wall materials for encapsulating L. casei. Different physicochemical and sensory properties of the yoghurt, as well as the L. casei survival, were determined during 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Based on the results, FM showed a stimulatory effect on the growth of probiotics and thus, significantly decreased the Log reduction of the probiotics during storage (P < 0.05). Moreover, encapsulating probiotics significantly decreased the Log reduction during storage in comparison with the free bacteria (P < 0.05). Incorporating FM and free probiotics significantly increased the acidity and decreased the pH of the samples; while encapsulating L. casei successfully prevented the acidity increment in probiotic fortified yoghurt products (P < 0.05). The addition of FM significantly improved the water holding capacity of the yoghurt (P < 0.05). Incorporating either free L. casei, FO or FM significantly reduced the flavor and overall acceptance scores; while, the addition of L. casei in the encapsulated form did not significantly alter the overall acceptance scores of the yoghurt samples (P < 0.05).

Preparation and functionalization of cellulose nanofibers using a naturally occurring acid and their application in stabilizing linseed oil/water Pickering emulsions

Finding efficient and environmental-friendly methods to produce and chemically modify cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) remains a challenge. In this study, lactic acid (LA) treatment followed by microfluidization was employed for the isolation and functionalization of CNFs. Small amounts of HCl (0.01, 0.1, and 0.2 M) were used alongside LA to intensify cellulose hydrolysis. FTIR spectroscopy and solid-state 13C NMR confirmed the successful functionalization of CNFs with lactyl groups during isolation, while SEM, AFM, and rheological tests revealed that the addition of HCl governed the fibers' sizes and morphology. Notably, the treatment with LA and 0.2 M HCl resulted in a more efficient defibrillation, yielding smaller nanofibers sizes (62 nm) as compared to the treatment with LA or HCl alone (90 and 108 nm, respectively). The aqueous suspension of CNFs treated with LA and 0.2 M HCl showed the highest viscosity and storage modulus. LA-modified CNFs were tested as stabilizers for linseed oil/water (50/50 v/v) emulsions. Owing to the lactyl groups grafted on their surface and higher aspect ratio, CNFs produced with 0.1 and 0.2 M HCl led to emulsions with increased stability (a creaming index increase of only 3 % and 1 %, respectively, in 30 days) and smaller droplets sizes of 23.4 ± 1.2 and 35.5 ± 0.5 μm, respectively. The results showed that LA-modified CNFs are promising stabilizers for Pickering emulsions.

Comparison of Yield Characteristics, Chemical Composition, Lignans Content and Antioxidant Potential of Experimentally Grown Six Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivars

Linseed represents a rich source of nutritional, functional and health-beneficial compounds. Nevertheless, the chemical composition and content of bioactive compounds may be quite variable and potentially affected by various factors, including genotype and the environment. In this study, the proximate chemical composition, lignans content and antioxidant potential of six experimentally grown linseed cultivars were assessed and compared. A diagonal cultivation trial in the University of South Bohemia Experimental Station in České Budějovice, Czech Republic, was established in three subsequent growing seasons (2018, 2019 and 2020). The results showed that the cultivar and growing conditions influenced most studied parameters. The lack of precipitation in May and June 2019 negatively affected the seed yield and the level of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside but did not decrease the crude protein content, which was negatively related to the oil content. The newly developed method for lignans analysis allowed the identification and quantification of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and matairesinol. Their content correlated positively with the total polyphenol content and antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity), indicating the significant contribution to the biofunctional properties of linseed. On the other hand, we did not detect minor linseed lignans, pinoresinol and lariciresinol. The results of this study showed the importance of cultivar and growing conditions factors on the linseed chemical composition and the lignans content, determining its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Modeling of flaxseed protein, oil content, linoleic acid, and lignan content prediction based on hyperspectral imaging

Protein, oil content, linoleic acid, and lignan are several key indicators for evaluating the quality of flaxseed. In order to optimize the testing methods for flaxseed's nutritional quality and enhance the efficiency of screening high-quality flax germplasm resources, we selected 30 flaxseed species widely cultivated in Northwest China as the subjects of our study. Firstly, we gathered hyperspectral information regarding the seeds, along with data on protein, oil content, linoleic acid, and lignan, and utilized the SPXY algorithm to classify the sample set. Subsequently, the spectral data underwent seven distinct preprocessing methods, revealing that the PLSR model exhibited superior performance after being processed with the SG smoothing method. Feature wavelength extraction was carried out using the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA) and the Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS). Finally, four quantitative analysis models, namely Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and Principal Component Regression (PCR), were individually established. Experimental results demonstrated that among all the models for predicting protein content, the SG-CARS-MLR model predicted the best, with and of 0.9563 and 0.9336, with the corresponding Root Mean Square Error Correction (RMSEC) and Root Mean Square Error Prediction (RMSEP) of 0.4892 and 0.5616, respectively. In the optimal prediction models for oil content, linoleic acid and lignan, the R p 2 was 0.8565, 0.8028, 0.9343, and the RMSEP was 0.8682, 0.5404, 0.5384, respectively. The study results show that hyperspectral imaging technology has excellent potential for application in the detection of quality characteristics of flaxseed and provides a new option for the future non-destructive testing of the nutritional quality of flaxseed.

Plant-Based Oil-in-Water Food Emulsions: Exploring the Influence of Different Formulations on Their Physicochemical Properties

The global focus on incorporating natural ingredients into the diet for health improvement encompasses ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) derived from plant sources, such as flaxseed oil. ω-3 PUFAs are susceptible to oxidation, but oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions can serve to protect PUFAs from this phenomenon. This study aimed to create O/W emulsions using flaxseed oil and either soy lecithin or Quillaja saponins, thickened with modified starch, while assessing their physical properties (oil droplet size, ζ-potential, and rheology) and physical stability. Emulsions with different oil concentrations (25% and 30% w/w) and oil-to-surfactant ratio (5:1 and 10:1) were fabricated using high-pressure homogenization (800 bar, five cycles). Moreover, emulsions were thickened with modified starch and their rheological properties were measured. The physical stability of all emulsions was assessed over a 7-day storage period using the TSI (Turbiscan Stability Index). Saponin-stabilized emulsions exhibited smaller droplet diameters (0.11-0.19 µm) compared to lecithin (0.40-1.30 µm), and an increase in surfactant concentration led to a reduction in droplet diameter. Both surfactants generated droplets with a high negative charge (-63 to -72 mV), but lecithin-stabilized emulsions showed greater negative charge, resulting in more intense electrostatic repulsion. Saponin-stabilized emulsions showed higher apparent viscosity (3.9-11.6 mPa·s) when compared to lecithin-stabilized ones (1.19-4.36 mPa·s). The addition of starch significantly increased the apparent viscosity of saponin-stabilized emulsions, rising from 11.6 mPa s to 2117 mPa s. Emulsions stabilized by saponin exhibited higher stability than those stabilized by lecithin. This study confirms that plant-based ingredients, particularly saponins and lecithin, effectively produce stable O/W emulsions with flaxseed oil, offering opportunities for creating natural ingredient-based food emulsions.

Unveiling the potential of linseed mucilage, its health benefits, and applications in food packaging

Industrial waste products derived from the oil industry often contain valuable substances and elements with great potential. These by-products can be used for various purposes, including as nutrients, bioactive compounds, fuels, and polymers. Linseed mucilage (LM) is one such example of a beneficial by-product obtained from linseed. It possesses favorable chemical and functional properties, depending on its method of extraction. Different pretreatments, such as enzymatic extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, pulse electric field, and ultrasound-assisted extraction, have been explored by various researchers to enhance both the yield and quality of mucilage. Furthermore, LM has exhibited therapeutic effects in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, constipation, hyperlipidemia, cancer, and other lifestyle diseases. Additionally, it demonstrates favorable functional characteristics that make it suitable to be used in bioplastic production. These properties preserve food quality, prolong shelf life, and confer antimicrobial activity. It also has the potential to be used as a packaging material, especially considering the increasing demand for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to plastics because of their detrimental impact on environmental health. This review primarily focuses on different extraction techniques used for linseed mucilage, its mechanism of action in terms of health benefits, and potential applications in food packaging.

Role of Nutraceuticals in Obesity Management: A Mechanism and Prospective Supported by Molecular Docking Studies

Obesity and its comorbidities represent a major health problem worldwide. Treatment by reducing food intake and physical activity interventions has limited success especially with elderly people with chronic diseases. Nutraceuticals are naturally originated and successfully used for their physiological and nutritional benefit in health care. They might be alternative means to help lose weight and reduce obesity-associated metabolic disorders with the improvement of health, delay the aging process, prevention of chronic diseases, increase of life expectancy, or support to the structure or function of the body. The current study enumerates the inherent role of nutraceuticals in the management of obesity and its related comorbidities. The study is supported with the molecular docking studies discussing the mechanism of action. An attempt to optimize the role of nutraceuticals is made in this article in addition to widen the scope of its use in this chronic worldwide disease.

The knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of pregnant women regarding seafood consumption during the antenatal period: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Maternal nutrition impacts fetal growth and development. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines recommend pregnant women consume 2-3 servings (224-336 g) of fish/seafood per week to support intake of long chain omega 3 fatty acids, given adequate consumption supports numerous health benefits including reduced risk of preterm and early preterm birth. Evidence indicates that pregnant women purposely lower their fish/seafood intake, largely due to fears of methylmercury exposure. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding their fish/seafood consumption during the antenatal period.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2018 and December 2020 among a purposive sample of 12 pregnant women from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Themes were developed on the women's lived experience related to fish/seafood knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviour.

RESULTS

The most prominent finding was widespread non-adherence to fish/seafood consumption guidelines. This was largely owing to a lack of proactive health promotion related to the health benefits of fish/seafood throughout pregnancy, including the health promoting roles of long chain omega 3 fatty acids for fetal growth and development. Three themes were identified: nutrition knowledge; sources of health promotion; and barriers and enablers to fish/seafood consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

To support adequate maternal consumption of fish/seafood throughout pregnancy, emphasis should be placed on the benefits of consuming this food group regularly. Additionally, pregnant women should receive education about the health promoting role of long chain omega 3 fatty acids. Dietitians are well placed to provide this information.

Tracing the pathways and mechanisms involved in medicinal uses of flaxseed with computational methods and bioinformatics tools

Pharmacological drugs targeting specific pathways involved in various diseases have seen recent advancement with newer and more efficient emerging drug targets, but these drugs are limited in terms of their side effects and patient adherence. The potential of plant-based diets in the form of functional foods is increasingly being realized as an option to treat and/or prevent several diseases. In this work, we have selected flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), also known as linseed, to study its pharmacological efficacy and proposed mechanisms of action for medicinal purposes. The target genes of linseed with Disease Specificity Index (DSI >0.6) are compared to the associated genes of diabetes mellitus, decrease in appetite, addictive behavior, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and the selected genes are further evaluated using in silico methods. The binding affinity of flaxseed to three common target proteins (CCDC28b, PDCD6IP, and USP34) is assessed by docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results show that linseed is safe to use for mutagenic toxicity and other cardiotoxicity measures, but linseed is unsafe for embryotoxicity, hERG toxicity, and cardiac failure. The analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways indicates that flaxseed can be used as a medicinal herb for treatment of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, IBDs, and PCOS.

Influence of roasted flaxseed marc flour on rheological, structural, fermentation, water distribution, and migration properties of wheat dough

Roasted flaxseed (RF) marc, which is a by-product obtained from RF oil extraction, has high nutritional value. This study evaluated the impact of RF marc flour on rheological, structural, fermentation, water distribution, and migration properties of the wheat dough. Results showed that adding RF into wheat flour (WF) could effectively increase the water absorption in the dough and retard the retrogradation of starch. The fermentation results revealed that adding RF could improve the gas retention coefficient of dough. Compared to the dough prepared with WF, the doughs enriched with RF had higher tan δ values (ratio of loss modulus G″ to storage modulus G'), indicating a more liquid-like property. The mobility of tightly bound and free water in dough was decreased by adding RF, whereas the distribution of free water was increased. On the one hand, adding RF would dilute the gluten content in dough, resulting in a weaker protein network. On the other hand, the dietary fiber and proteins in RF could offset the gluten dilution effect to some extent. Overall, the results suggested that the substitution level of RF in WF should be below 25% to avoid serious dough quality deterioration, and the RF-WF blended flour could be a potential ingredient to produce wheat products with moist taste. These findings could be useful for guiding the future usage of RF marc in wheat-based products.

Comparative Assessment of Lignan, Tocopherol, Tocotrienol and Carotenoids in 40 Selected Varieties of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Multiple varieties of flaxseeds have been identified in the world, yet the relationship between these varieties, their agronomic traits, and their seeds' quality remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the level of lignan, vitamins and carotenoids in 40 selected flaxseed varieties, and the relationship between varieties, agronomic traits, and seed quality was investigated. In this study, notably, fiber flax variety No. 225 exhibited the highest lignan content among all tested seeds. Additionally, oil variety No. 167 demonstrated the highest level of α-tocotrienol (α-T3), β-tocopherol (β-T), γ-tocotrienol (γ-T3), and β-carotene (β-Car.). Conversely, intermediate flax variety No. 16 displayed the highest content of α-tocopherol (α-T), but lowest content of lutein (Lut.), zeaxanthin (Zea.), β-carotene (β-Car.), and total carotenoids (Total Car.). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between petal color with the lignan, while a strong correlation has been explored in seed yield, seed type, plant natural height, and fiber content in straw. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to elucidate the internal relationship between varieties with compositions.

Comparison of nutritional quality of fourteen wild Linum species based on fatty acid composition, lipid health indices, and chemometric approaches unravelling their nutraceutical potential

Fatty acid profiles of 14 Linum species was determined by GC-MS analysis to study the nutritional quality of Linum species based on fatty acid composition, lipid health indices, and chemometric approaches. L. lewisii and L. marginale found to have the highest content of ALA i.e., 65.38 % and 62.79 %, respectively, L. tenuifolium recorded the highest linoleic acid content (69.69 %), while, L. catharticum recorded highest oleic acid (27.03 %). Health indices viz. polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio, n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio, atherogenicity, thrombogenicity, oxidability, oxidative stability, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acids, and peroxidisability calculated based on the fatty acid composition revealed that all the linseed species except L. aristatum, L. tenuifolium and L. hudsoniodes have healthy fatty acid composition. L. lewisii clearly emerges as a promising species followed by L. bienne with great values across multiple indices, making them as a potential candidate for dietary or nutritional interests. The lipid profile of Linum species could be well distinguished by two principal components by Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Selection of Flax Genotypes for Pan-Genomic Studies by Sequencing Tagmentation-Based Transcriptome Libraries

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) products are used in the food, pharmaceutical, textile, polymer, medical, and other industries. The creation of a pan-genome will be an important advance in flax research and breeding. The selection of flax genotypes that sufficiently cover the species diversity is a crucial step for the pan-genomic study. For this purpose, we have adapted a method based on Illumina sequencing of transcriptome libraries prepared using the Tn5 transposase (tagmentase). This approach reduces the cost of sample preparation compared to commercial kits and allows the generation of a large number of cDNA libraries in a short time. RNA-seq data were obtained for 192 flax plants (3-6 individual plants from 44 flax accessions of different morphology and geographical origin). Evaluation of the genetic relationship between flax plants based on the sequencing data revealed incorrect species identification for five accessions. Therefore, these accessions were excluded from the sample set for the pan-genomic study. For the remaining samples, typical genotypes were selected to provide the most comprehensive genetic diversity of flax for pan-genome construction. Thus, high-throughput sequencing of tagmentation-based transcriptome libraries showed high efficiency in assessing the genetic relationship of flax samples and allowed us to select genotypes for the flax pan-genomic analysis.

Key FAD2, FAD3, and SAD Genes Involved in the Fatty Acid Synthesis in Flax Identified Based on Genomic and Transcriptomic Data

FAD (fatty acid desaturase) and SAD (stearoyl-ACP desaturase) genes play key roles in the synthesis of fatty acids (FA) and determination of oil composition in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). We searched for FAD and SAD genes in the most widely used flax genome of the variety CDC Bethune and three available long-read assembled flax genomes-YY5, 3896, and Atlant. We identified fifteen FAD2, six FAD3, and four SAD genes. Of all the identified genes, 24 were present in duplicated pairs. In most cases, two genes from a pair differed by a significant number of gene-specific SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) or even InDels (insertions/deletions), except for FAD2a-1 and FAD2a-2, where only seven SNPs distinguished these genes. Errors were detected in the FAD2a-1, FAD2a-2, FAD3c-1, and FAD3d-2 sequences in the CDC Bethune genome assembly but not in the long-read genome assemblies. Expression analysis of the available transcriptomic data for different flax organs/tissues revealed that FAD2a-1, FAD2a-2, FAD3a, FAD3b, SAD3-1, and SAD3-2 were specifically expressed in embryos/seeds/capsules and could play a crucial role in the synthesis of FA in flax seeds. In contrast, FAD2b-1, FAD2b-2, SAD2-1, and SAD2-2 were highly expressed in all analyzed organs/tissues and could be involved in FA synthesis in whole flax plants. FAD2c-2, FAD2d-1, FAD3c-1, FAD3c-2, FAD3d-1, FAD3d-2, SAD3-1, and SAD3-2 showed differential expression under stress conditions-Fusarium oxysporum infection and drought. The obtained results are essential for research on molecular mechanisms of fatty acid synthesis, FAD and SAD editing, and marker-assisted and genomic selection for breeding flax varieties with a determined fatty acid composition of oil.

Alsherif E, Magdy Korany S, Hassan AHA, AbdElgawad H. Potassium Nitrate and Ascorbic Acid Priming Improved Tissue Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Sprouts

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and ascorbic acid (AsA) priming can effectively boost biomass accumulation and nutritional value of plants; nevertheless, few studies investigated their effects on seed sprouting. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of KNO3 and AsA priming on linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) sprout growth and assess the changes in bioactive compound levels, which provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of these priming treatments on sprout quality and nutritional value. To this end, germination, biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, and mineral profiles in the primed sprouts were evaluated. Moreover, to assess the impact on biological value, we determined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the treated sprout extract. A marked enhancement was observed in germination and pigment levels of KNO3- and AsA-primed sprouts. These increases were in line with induced primary metabolites (e.g., carbohydrate and amino acid contents), particularly under KNO3 treatment. There was also an increase in amino acid metabolism (e.g., increased GS, GDH, and GOGAT enzyme activities), nitrogen level, and nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The linseed sprouts primed with AsA exhibited strong antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Consistently, high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, total AsA, and tocopherols, as well as improved activity of antioxidant enzymes [peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)], were recorded. This study proposes KNO3 and AsA priming as an innovative approach to improving the nutritional and health-promoting properties of linseed sprouts. This knowledge will contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical processes involved in improving the nutritional quality and functional benefits of linseed sprouts.

Essential Components from Plant Source Oils: A Review on Extraction, Detection, Identification, and Quantification

Oils derived from plant sources, mainly fixed oils from seeds and essential oil from other parts of the plant, are gaining interest as they are the rich source of beneficial compounds that possess potential applications in different industries due to their preventive and therapeutic actions. The essential oils are used in food, medicine, cosmetics, and agriculture industries as they possess antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Plant based oils contain polyphenols, phytochemicals, and bioactive compounds which show high antioxidant activity. The extractions of these oils are a crucial step in terms of the yield and quality attributes of plant oils. This review paper outlines the different modern extraction techniques used for the extraction of different seed oils, including microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), cold-pressed extraction (CPE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical-fluid extraction (SFE), enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE), and pulsed electric field-assisted extraction (PEF). For the identification and quantification of essential and bioactive compounds present in seed oils, different modern techniques-such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy (GC-IR), atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS), and electron microscopy (EM)-are highlighted in this review along with the beneficial effects of these essential components in different in vivo and in vitro studies and in different applications. The primary goal of this research article is to pique the attention of researchers towards the different sources, potential uses and applications of oils in different industries.

Oils from Transgenic Flax Lines as Potential Chemopreventive Agents in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a major global health concern, and the need for effective chemopreventive agents is paramount. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of oils from transgenically modified flax for the prevention of colorectal cancer, in relation to the oil concertation. Flaxseed oils were obtained from traditional (Nike) and genetically modified flax lines (M and B). Cell viability assays were performed on various cancer cell lines, including colon adenocarcinoma cells. Flaxseed oil B exhibited the strongest anti-proliferative properties compared to the reference drugs and other oils. Additionally, M and B oils showed enhanced accumulation of Rhodamine 123 and increased apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. M oil exhibited the highest levels of p53 protein. Notably, the tested transgenic oils did not induce metastasis and displayed stronger inhibition of COX-1 compared to COX-2. These data indicate the utility of flaxseed oils, especially from the M line, as adjuvants in colorectal cancer treatment, targeting the colon specifically.

Linseed oil attenuates fatty liver disease in mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet

The impact of linseed oil as a lipid source on liver disease induced by a high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) was evaluated. Adult male Swiss mice received an HCD containing carbohydrates (72.1%), proteins (14.2%), and lipids (4.0%). The Control HCD group (HCD-C) received an HCD containing lard (3.6%) and soybean oil (0.4%) as lipid sources. The L10 and L100 groups received an HCD with 10 and 100% linseed oil as lipid sources, respectively. A group of mice were euthanized before receiving the diets (day 0) and the remaining groups after 56 days of receiving the diets (HCD-C, L10, and L-100 groups). Morphological and histopathological analyses, as well as collagen deposition were evaluated. Perivenous hepatocytes (PVH) of the HCD-C group were larger (P<0.05) than periportal hepatocytes (PPH) in the median lobe (ML) and left lobe (LL). There was a greater (P<0.05) deposition of type I collagen in PPH (vs PVH) and in the ML (vs LL). The ML exhibited a higher proportion of apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning. All these alterations (hepatocyte size, deposition of type I collagen, apoptotic bodies, inflammatory infiltrate, and hepatocellular ballooning) induced by HCD were prevented or attenuated in L10 and L100 groups. Another indicator of the beneficial effects of linseed oil was the lower (P<0.05) number of binucleated hepatocytes (HCD-C vs L10 or L100 group). In general, the L100 group had greater effects than the L10 group. In conclusion, linseed oil impedes or reduces the liver injury progression induced by an HCD.

Can flaxseed supplementation affect circulating adipokines in adults? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction

The findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of flaxseed on adipokine concentrations are conflicting. Therefore, the present meta-analysis was conducted to provide definite and conclusive results.

Methods

Systematically, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science databases, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant literature published up to December 2022. Based on random-effect models, standard mean differences (SMDs) were calculated for net changes in adipokine concentrations.

Results

Overall, 13 RCTs (15 arms) were eligible to be included. The results indicated that leptin was significantly reduced after the intervention with flaxseed supplement (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -1.37, -0.01; p = 0.048; I2 = 92.0%, p < 0.001). In addition, flaxseed supplements had no considerable effect on plasma adiponectin (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI: -0.20, 1.25, p = 0.159; I2 = 92.0%, p < 0.001).

Discussion

Flaxseed significantly improves leptin but does not affect adiponectin concentrations. Additional future well-designed trials are required to further assess the potential benefits of flaxseed on adipokines in humans.

The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Benefits of Vegetable Oils-A Review

With population and economic development increasing worldwide, the public is increasingly concerned with the health benefits and nutritional properties of vegetable oils (VOs). In this review, the chemical composition and health-promoting benefits of 39 kinds of VOs were selected and summarized using Web of Science TM as the main bibliographic databases. The characteristic chemical compositions were analyzed from fatty acid composition, tocols, phytosterols, squalene, carotenoids, phenolics, and phospholipids. Health benefits including antioxidant activity, prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, diabetes treatment, and kidney and liver protection were examined according to the key components in representative VOs. Every type of vegetable oil has shown its own unique chemical composition with significant variation in each key component and thereby illustrated their own specific advantages and health effects. Therefore, different types of VOs can be selected to meet individual needs accordingly. For example, to prevent CVD, more unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols should be supplied by consuming pomegranate seed oil, flaxseed oil, or rice bran oil, while coconut oil or perilla seed oil have higher contents of total phenolics and might be better choices for diabetics. Several oils such as olive oil, corn oil, cress oil, and rice bran oil were recommended for their abundant nutritional ingredients, but the intake of only one type of vegetable oil might have drawbacks. This review increases the comprehensive understanding of the correlation between health effects and the characteristic composition of VOs, and provides future trends towards their utilization for the general public's nutrition, balanced diet, and as a reference for disease prevention. Nevertheless, some VOs are in the early stages of research and lack enough reliable data and long-term or large consumption information of the effect on the human body, therefore further investigations will be needed for their health benefits.

Linum usitatissimum AccD Enhances Seed Fatty Acid Accumulation and Tolerance to Environmental Stresses during Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), as an important oil-producing crop, is widely distributed throughout the world, and its seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs). Previous studies have revealed that Arabidopsis thaliana ACETYL-CoA CARBOXYLASE (AtACCase) is vital for FA biosynthesis. However, the functions of L. usitatissimum AccD (LuAccD) on FA accumulation and seed germination remain unclear. In the present study, we cloned the LuAccD coding sequence from the flax cultivar 'Longya 10', identified conserved protein domains, and performed a phylogenetic analysis to elucidate its relationship with homologs from a range of plant species. Ectopic expression of LuAccD in A. thaliana wild-type background enhanced seed FA accumulation without altering seed morphological characteristics, including seed size, 1000-seed weight, and seed coat color. Consistently, the expression of key genes involved in FA biosynthesis was greatly up-regulated in the developing seeds of LuAccD overexpression lines. Additionally, we demonstrated that LuAccD acts as a positive regulator of salt and mannitol tolerance during seed germination in A. thaliana. These results provide important insights into the functions of LuAccD, which facilitates the oil quantity and abiotic stress tolerance of oil-producing crops through genetic manipulation.

Beneficial Effects of Dietary Flaxseed Oil through Inflammation Pathways and Gut Microbiota in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Flaxseed oil (FO) has displayed potential anti-diabetes properties by providing a high content of α-linolenic acid. However, the effects and mechanisms of FO on type 1 diabetes are still unclear. The present study aims to explore the effects of different doses of FO feeding on hepatic inflammation and gut microbiota in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Forty-eight six-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a control group (CON), a diabetic group (MOD), a diabetes with 7.0% w/w FO feeding group (FO-L), and a diabetes with 10.5% w/w FO feeding group (FO-H) for six weeks. The 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feeding groups exhibited potential recovery of the number and size of pancreas tissues. The fasting blood glucose level was significantly decreased only after 4 weeks of feeding with 10.5% w/w FO in diabetic mice. The 10.5% w/w FO feeding group significantly decreased the postprandial blood glucose level of mice in the OGTT test. Hepatic glycogen levels were dramatically upregulated in the mice fed with both 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO. FO feeding significantly attenuated hepatic LPS, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels. In addition, we observed that 7.0% w/w and 10.5% w/w FO feedings notably downregulated hepatic gene and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and P65. Furthermore, only 10.5% FO regulated fecal microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum, Lactococcus family, and Muribaculaceae and Streptococcaceae family and genus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Therefore, we conclude that FO feeding plays a role in anti-inflammation via the regulation of hepatic LPS/TLR4/MyD88 pathways and gut microbiota. In addition, different doses of FO supplementation may exhibit varying mechanisms in streptozotocin-induced mice.

Effect of the inclusion of extruded flaxseed in the diet of fattening pigs on lipid metabolism and tissue redox status

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a diet containing extruded flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) on the fatty acid composition of the loin, blood lipid parameters, and the redox status of tissues of finishing pigs. A total of 160 weaners (about 30-110 kg BW) were assigned to four experimental groups of 40 animals each (5 replicates with 8 individuals each). Group C (control) received a diet in which the fat source was soybean oil, while in groups 2FE, 4FE and 6FE soybean meal was replaced with extruded flaxseed in the amount of 2%, 4% or 6%, respectively. The diet containing extruded flaxseed reduced cholesterol levels in the blood plasma of pigs (grower 2FE and 6FE vs. C; finisher 2FE, 4FE and 6FE vs. C) and loin muscle (2FE, 4FE and 6FE vs. C). A decrease in the atherogenic LDL-C fraction and in the content of triacylglycerols was also noted in the blood plasma of grower and finisher pigs receiving flaxseed (2FE, 4FE and 6FE vs. C). The beneficial effects noted in the experimental pigs also included an increase in the overall content of n-3 PUFAs, especially ALA (18:3 n-3), and a reduction in the n-6/n-3 ratio. This was especially evident at 4% and 6% inclusion of flaxseed. The highest proportion of flax (6%) in the blend increased lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by the increase in the content of LOOH and MDA in the blood plasma of grower and finisher pigs. For this reason, a 4% share of flaxseed in the diet of fattening pigs seems to be optimal, while higher levels require an additional supply of exogenous antioxidants.

Anticancer Potential of the Cyclolinopeptides

Novel therapeutic agents to combat cancer is an active area of research, as current treatment options have limitations in efficacy and tolerability. One of these therapeutic agents in our immediate environment is cyclolinopeptides (CLPs). CLPs have several advantages that make them suitable for daily consumption and potential therapeutics in cancer research. They are natural compounds, having high specificity, low toxicity, low cost, and an overall simple extraction process. Over the years, numerous in vitro studies in cancer cells demonstrated CLPs to possess anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects, as well as the ability to induce cell cycle arrest and inhibit cancer cell growth in various cancer types, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, and melanoma. This paper provides an overview of the significance and potential of CLPs as therapeutic agents, emphasizing their promising role in cancer treatment based on different cancer cell lines. The mechanism of action of CLPs in cancer cells is multifaceted. It involves the modulation of multiple signaling pathways, including inhibition of protein kinases, modulation of apoptosis-related proteins, and regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation.

A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oils

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L) is an ancient perennial plant species regarded as a multipurpose plant owing to its richness in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) including α-linolenic acid (ALA). The extensive biochemical analysis of flaxseed resulted in the identification of its bioactive, i.e., lignans with potential application in the improvement of human health. Flaxseed oil, fibers, and lignans exert potential health benefits including reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune and neurological disorders that have led to the diversification of flaxseed plant applications. This comprehensive review focuses on flaxseed oil as the major product of flaxseed with emphasis on the interrelationship between its chemical composition and biological effects. Effects reviewed include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, metabolic, and neuroprotective. This study provides an overview of flaxseed oil effects with the reported action mechanisms related to its phytochemical composition and in comparison, to other PUFA-rich oils. This study presents the most updated and comprehensive review summarizing flaxseed oil's health benefits for the treatment of various diseases.

Molecular Advances to Combat Different Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Flax, or linseed, is considered a "superfood", which means that it is a food with diverse health benefits and potentially useful bioactive ingredients. It is a multi-purpose crop that is prized for its seed oil, fibre, nutraceutical, and probiotic qualities. It is suited to various habitats and agro-ecological conditions. Numerous abiotic and biotic stressors that can either have a direct or indirect impact on plant health are experienced by flax plants as a result of changing environmental circumstances. Research on the impact of various stresses and their possible ameliorators is prompted by such expectations. By inducing the loss of specific alleles and using a limited number of selected varieties, modern breeding techniques have decreased the overall genetic variability required for climate-smart agriculture. However, gene banks have well-managed collectionns of landraces, wild linseed accessions, and auxiliary Linum species that serve as an important source of novel alleles. In the past, flax-breeding techniques were prioritised, preserving high yield with other essential traits. Applications of molecular markers in modern breeding have made it easy to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for various agronomic characteristics. The genetic diversity of linseed species and the evaluation of their tolerance to abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, heavy metal tolerance, and temperature, as well as resistance to biotic stress factors, viz., rust, wilt, powdery mildew, and alternaria blight, despite addressing various morphotypes and the value of linseed as a supplement, are the primary topics of this review.

Genetic dissection of thousand-seed weight in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) using multi-locus genome-wide association study

Flaxseed/linseed is an important oilseed crop having applications in the food, nutraceutical, and paint industry. Seed weight is one of the most crucial determinants of seed yield in linseed. Here, quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) associated with thousand-seed weight (TSW) have been identified using multi-locus genome-wide association study (ML-GWAS). Field evaluation was carried out in five environments in multi-year-location trials. SNP genotyping information of the AM panel of 131 accessions comprising 68,925 SNPs was employed for ML-GWAS. From the six ML-GWAS methods employed, five methods helped identify a total of 84 unique significant QTNs for TSW. QTNs identified in ≥ 2 methods/environments were designated as stable QTNs. Accordingly, 30 stable QTNs have been identified for TSW accounting up to 38.65% trait variation. Alleles with positive effect on trait were analyzed for 12 strong QTNs with r ² ≥ 10.00%, which showed significant association of specific alleles with higher trait value in three or more environments. A total of 23 candidate genes have been identified for TSW, which included B3 domain-containing transcription factor, SUMO-activating enzyme, protein SCARECROW, shaggy-related protein kinase/BIN2, ANTIAUXIN-RESISTANT 3, RING-type E3 ubiquitin transferase E4, auxin response factors, WRKY transcription factor, and CBS domain-containing protein. In silico expression analysis of candidate genes was performed to validate their possible role in different stages of seed development process. The results from this study provide significant insight and elevate our understanding on genetic architecture of TSW trait in linseed.

Advanced Oxidative Decontamination of Flax and Its Impacts on Storage

The metabolic actions of storage fungi and other microorganisms can cause spoilage and post-harvest losses in agricultural commodities, including flaxseed. These microbial contaminants are oxidized with hydroxyl radicals that are efficiently generated when ozone, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ultraviolet (UV) light react in an advanced oxidative process (AOP). The present work explores what we believe is the first application of an AOP technology to reduce mould on whole brown and yellow flaxseed. The impact of AOP on storage and quality parameters was assessed by measuring the fatty acid value (FAV), germination rate, moisture content (MC) and visible mould growth after 12 weeks of storage at 30°C and 75% relative humidity (RH). Under these conditions, the yellow decontaminated flaxseed showed a 31% decrease in the number of seeds with visible mould without any adverse effect on germination rate, FAV and MC. In contrast, the same AOP treatment created an insignificant decrease in mould in stored brown flaxseed, at the cost of decreasing the germination rate and increasing FAV. The adverse effects of AOP on brown flaxseed were not readily apparent but became measurable after storage. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was utilized to explore the rationale behind the different reactions of flaxseed varieties to AOP. The corresponding results indicated that the tolerance of yellow flaxseed to AOP might be related to its richness in olefins. The authors believe that technologies that harness advanced oxidative processes open new horizons in decontamination beyond ozone alone and towards increasing the shelf life of various agri-food products.

Dietary flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil supplementation affects growth, oxidative stress, immune response, and diseases resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchusmykiss)

This paper describes the effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil (FSO) as a feed additive on growth performance, oxidative stress, immunity, and disease resistance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four-hundred-and-twenty rainbow trout individuals (mean weight: 25.66 ± 1.33 g) were fed with different doses of FSO (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) ad libitum two times a day for 9 weeks. At the end of the feeding, growth performance was evaluated and the fish were challenged with two different bacteria (Yersinia ruckeri and Aeromonas hydrophila). At the end of the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks, blood and tissue samples were collected from 9 fish per treatment to evaluate innate immune response, cytokine gene expression levels, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels, and digestive enzyme activities. Determination of haematological parameters and histological examination was also carried out to evaluate the general health status of the fish. Results showed that the final weight and specific growth rate of fish supplemented with FSO increased significantly (p < 0.05). FSO-supplemented fish showed higher resistance to Y. ruckeri infection than the control group (p < 0.05). However, survival rates of all groups in A. hydrophila challenge test were similar (p > 0.05). Among the investigated innate immune response parameters, the potential killing activity of phagocytes, myeloperoxidase activity, and lysozyme activity increased in the FSO-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). Almost all cytokine gene expression levels in the experimental groups up-regulated especially after 9 weeks of feeding in the head kidney and intestine (p < 0.05). Similarly, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were found to be significantly higher in the FSO group than in the control (p < 0.05) whereas, the lipid peroxidation levels drastically declined as a result of the FSO supplementation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that FSO can improve growth, enhance immune response, and lower oxidative damage in rainbow trout when supplemented at the rates of 0.5-1.5% for 9 weeks.

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives-A Future Direction to the Milky Way

One significant food group that is part of our daily diet is the dairy group, and both research and industry are actively involved to meet the increasing requirement for plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). The production tendency of PBDAs is growing with a predictable rate of over 18.5% in 2023 from 7.4% at the moment. A multitude of sources can be used for development such as cereals, pseudocereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds to obtain food products such as vegetal milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, and different sweets, such as ice cream, which have nearly similar nutritional profiles to those of animal-origin products. Increased interest in PBDAs is manifested in groups with special dietary needs (e.g., lactose intolerant individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly) or with pathologies such as metabolic syndromes, dermatological diseases, and arthritis. In spite of the vast range of production perspectives, certain industrial challenges arise during development, such as processing and preservation technologies. This paper aims at providing an overview of the currently available PBDAs based on recent studies selected from the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. We found 148 publications regarding PBDAs in correlation with their nutritional and technological aspects, together with the implications in terms of health. Therefore, this review focuses on the relationship between plant-based alternatives for dairy products and the human diet, from the raw material to the final products, including the industrial processes and health-related concerns.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root combined with Linum usitatissimum oil as an alternative for hormone replacement therapy in ovariectomized rats

Objective

Plant-derived estrogens (phytoestrogens) with structural similarity to primary female sex hormones could be suitable replacements for sex hormones. Therefore, the effects of the licorice root extract and Linum usitatissimum oil on biochemical and hormonal indices in the serum and uterine stereological changes in ovariectomized rats were evaluated.

Design

In this study, 70 adult female rats were randomly divided into seven groups including 1) control group, 2) sham-operated group, 3) ovariectomized (OVX) group, 4) OVX rats that received 1 mg/kg estradiol for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, 5) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt Linum usitatissimum oil for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, 6) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt licorice extract for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation, and 7) OVX rats which received 2.0 mg/kg body wt Linum usitatissimum oil + 2.0 mg/kg body wt licorice extract for 8 weeks at the day of post-operation. After eight weeks, alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as calcium, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations were assessed and tissue samples of the uterus were serologically examined.

Results

The results indicated that after 8 weeks of OVX the alkaline phosphatase activity (Mean = 637.7 IU/L) increased and the calcium (Mean = 7.09 mg/dl), estradiol (5.30 pmol/L), and progesterone (Mean = 3.53 nmol/L) reduced compared to other groups. Moreover, stereological changes in the uterus in ovariectomy groups were seen compared to the other groups. The treatment with Linum usitatissimum oil and licorice extract had a significant therapeutic effect on biochemical factors and stereological changes compared to the ovariectomized group.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that the combination of Linum usitatissimum oil with licorice extract showed the high potential of hormone replacement therapy in the reduction of OVX complications.

Hematological parameters, antioxidant status, and gene expression of γ-INF and IL-1β in vaccinated lambs fed different type of lipids

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of vegetable oils as calcium salt on immune responses and the expression of immune-related genes in vaccinated lambs. Twenty-four lambs (35 kg body weight, 6 months old) were assigned to four treatments with six replicates in a completely randomized design for 40 days. Four concentrates were formulated in which the calcium salts of palm oil, canola oil, corn oil, and flaxseed oil were used. On day 30 of the experiment, lambs were vaccinated by a dose of foot-and-mouth disease virus. The blood samples were collected from jugular vein 10 days after vaccination. The level of malondialdehyde and the activity of liver enzymes were the highest in lambs receiving corn oil and the lowest in lambs receiving flaxseed oil. The highest lymphocytes and the lowest neutrophil percentages were observed in lambs receiving flaxseed oil. There was a significant difference among treatments for the relative genes expression. Flaxseed oil significantly upregulated interferon-γ and corn oil upregulated interleukin-1β. The highest titer against foot-and-mouth disease virus was related to lambs receiving flaxseed oil, and the lowest titer was related to lambs that received corn oil. Flaxseed oil had more beneficial effects on immune response than other oils.

Effect of the inclusion of extruded flaxseed in the diet of fattening pigs on performance parameters and blood parameters

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of 2%, 4% and 6% extruded flaxseed in the diet of fattening pigs on their growth performance parameters, carcass parameters, and selected blood parameters. The experiment was conducted on 160 weaners (from about 30 kg to about 110 kg BW) assigned to four experimental groups of 40 animals each (5 replicates with 8 individuals each). The animals in control group received a diet in which the source of fat was soybean oil. The other groups received extruded flaxseed (FE) in place of soybean meal in the amount of 2% (group 2FE); 4% (group 4FE) and 6% (group 6FE). Soybean oil was added to the diets in the experimental treatments to obtain equal amounts of fat. The inclusion of 2% and 4% extruded flaxseed in the diet of fatteners in place of soybean meal significantly improved the digestibility of basic nutrients, i.e. ether extract (by about 5%) and dietary fibre (by more than 20%) and led to better growth performance (higher BW by about 11%; higher ADG by about 20% and lower FCR by about 12%) vs group C. In the groups with 2% and 4% extruded flaxseed there was also an increase in the lean meat content of the carcasses (by about 6%) and the thickness of the backfat (by about 6.5%) vs group C. The inclusion of extruded flaxseed did not affect the animals' condition, as indicated by the haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood, which were within reference ranges. The results for production, nutrient digestibility and carcass analysis between groups 2FE and 4FE were similar, and at this stage of research indicate that the use of 2% extruded flaxseed is economically more justified.

On the Path towards a "Greener" EU: A Mini Review on Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as a Case Study

Due to the pressures imposed by climate change, the European Union (EU) has been forced to design several initiatives (the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork) to tackle the climate crisis and ensure food security. Through these initiatives, the EU aspires to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate crisis and achieve collective prosperity for humans, animals, and the environment. The adoption or promotion of crops that would facilitate the attaining of these objectives is naturally of high importance. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with many applications in the industrial, health, and agri-food sectors. This crop is mainly grown for its fibers or its seed and has recently gained increasing attention. The literature suggests that flax can be grown in several parts of the EU, and potentially has a relatively low environmental impact. The aim of the present review is to: (i) briefly present the uses, needs, and utility of this crop and, (ii) assess its potential within the EU by taking into account the sustainability goals the EU has set via its current policies.

Therapeutic Efficacy of a Formulation Prepared with Linum usitatissimum L., Plantago ovata Forssk., and Honey on Uncomplicated Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Analyzed with Machine Learning Techniques

A single-blind double-dummy randomized study was conducted in diagnosed patients (n = 66) to compare the efficacy of Linseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.), Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk.), and honey in uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease (uPID) with standard drugs using experimental and computational analysis. The pessary group received placebo capsules orally twice daily plus a per vaginum cotton pessary of powder from linseeds and psyllium seeds, each weighing 3 gm, with honey (5 mL) at bedtime. The standard group received 100 mg of doxycycline twice daily and 400 mg of metronidazole TID orally plus a placebo cotton pessary per vaginum at bedtime for 14 days. The primary outcomes were clinical features of uPID (vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain (LAP), low backache (LBA), and pelvic tenderness. The secondary outcomes included leucocytes (WBCs) in vaginal discharge on saline microscopy and the SF-12 health questionnaire. In addition, we also classified both (pessary and standard) groups using machine learning models such as Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and AdaBoost (AB). The pessary group showed a higher percentage reduction than the standard group in abnormal vaginal discharge (87.05% vs. 77.94%), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-LAP (80.57% vs. 77.09%), VAS-LBA (74.19% vs. 68.54%), McCormack pain scale (McPS) score for pelvic tenderness (75.39% vs. 67.81%), WBC count of vaginal discharge (87.09% vs. 83.41%) and improvement in SF-12 HRQoL score (94.25% vs. 86.81%). Additionally, our DT 5-fold model achieved the maximum accuracy (61.80%) in the classification. We propose that the pessary group is cost-effective, safer, and more effective as standard drugs for treating uPID and improving the HRQoL of women. Aucubin, Plantamajoside, Herbacetin, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, Secoisolariciresinol Monoglucoside, and other various natural bioactive molecules of psyllium and linseeds have beneficial effects as they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. The anticipated research work is be a better alternative treatment for genital infections.

In utero and postnatal exposure to Foeniculum vulgare and Linum usitatissimum seed extracts: modifications of key enzymes involved in epigenetic regulation and estrogen receptors expression in the offspring's ovaries of NMRI mice

BACKGROUND

Early-life exposure to exogenous estrogens such as phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogens) could affect later health through epigenetic modifications. Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Linum usitatissimum (flax) are two common medicinal plants with high phytoestrogen content. Considering the developmental epigenetic programming effect of phytoestrogens, the main goal of the present study was to evaluate the perinatal exposure with life-long exposure to hydroalcoholic extracts of both plants on offspring's ovarian epigenetic changes and estrogen receptors (ESRs) expression level as signaling cascades triggers of phytoestrogens.

METHODS

Pregnant mice were randomly divided into control (CTL) that received no treatment and extract-treated groups that received 500 mg/kg/day of fennel (FV) and flaxseed (FX) alone or in combination (FV + FX) during gestation and lactation. At weaning, female offspring exposed to extracts prenatally remained on the maternal-doses diets until puberty. Then, the ovaries were collected for morphometric studies and quantitative real-time PCR analysis.

RESULTS

A reduction in mRNA transcripts of the epigenetic modifying enzymes DNMTs and HDACs as well as estrogen receptors was observed in the FV and FX groups compared to the CTL group. Interestingly, an increase in ESRα/ESRβ ratio along with HDAC2 overexpression was observed in the FV + FX group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings clearly show a positive relationship between pre and postnatal exposure to fennel and flaxseed extracts, ovarian epigenetic changes, and estrogen receptors expression, which may affect the estrogen signaling pathway. However, due to the high phytoestrogen contents of these extracts, the use of these plants in humans requires more detailed investigations.

Unraveling the role of natural functional oils in modulating osteoarthritis related complications

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease and has been studied extensively in recent years as no promising therapy available so far for its treatment and remains a great challenge for health care specialists. Although the identification of some major mechanisms that contribute to this disease suggests a plethora of bioactive agents in tackling the associated complications yet OA's pathophysiology is still poorly understood owing to complex mechanistic changes observed. Experimental research is now exploring a wide range of therapeutically effective agents in an effort to find a way to repair OA-related joint degeneration and halt it from getting worse. Data was acquired and reviewed from most relevant and recent studies. This review summarizes the studies that are currently available and focuses on how various unconventional functional oils affect osteoarthritis and the affected joint tissues. An analysis of the recent scientific literature allowed us to highlight the potential anti-arthritic properties of edible oils and their main constituents, which seems to suggest an interesting new potential therapeutic application. Due to eccentric nature of OA, it is necessary to concentrate initially on the management of symptoms. The evidence supporting functional oils chondroprotective potential is still accumulating, underpinning a global need for more sustainable natural sources of treatment. More clinical research that focuses on the consequences of long-term treatment, possible negative effects, and epigenetic implications is necessary to get optimistic results. However, different animal or clinical studies suggest that linolenic and linoleic fatty acids decreased chondrocyte oxidative stress, cartilage breakdown, and expression of inflammatory markers. Distinct fatty acids along with minor components of oils also reduced the generation of prostaglandins and decreased oxidative stress. Furthermore, the potential roles of the main components of edible oils and possible negative results (if any) are also reported. While no severe side effects have been reported for any edible oils. Overall, these studies identify and support the use of functional oils as an adjuvant therapy for the management of OA and as a means of symptomatic alleviation for OA patients. However, to prove the effectiveness or to draw precise conclusions, high-quality clinical trials are required.