Flax Research Articles

An Assessment of the Strength and Physical Properties of Edible Tableware from Flax Seed and Flaxseed Cake

Alternatives to traditional disposable plastic tableware are constantly sought. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of using oilseeds and their press cakes for the production of edible tableware. Edible vegan plates (P) and bowls (B) were produced. The basic ingredients used for production were flax seeds (S) or flax press cake (C). Plates made using press cakes under a pressure of 3 kg deformed to a lesser extent than those containing seeds. However, they were more susceptible to crumbling during shaking. The colour of the tableware made on the basis of flax press cakes was lighter and was characterised by a higher chromaticity in the yellow and red direction. Significantly higher water absorption was characteristic of the tableware in which flax press cakes were used instead of flax seeds. The lowest water absorption (17.14%) after 30 min of soaking was recorded for the PS sample. After the test simulating the use of the tableware, a significant reduction in strength was observed overall (except for the PS test). The panelists rated the consistency and palatability of the PS, BS and PC tests very similarly. The highest overall acceptability was noted for the BS and PC tests. In conclusion, the development of edible bowls and plates made from flax seeds or flaxseed cake is an alternative solution for the production of environmentally friendly tableware.

Ground Flaxseed Supplementation Improved the Energy Utilization and Reduced Oxidative Stress in Buffalo Calves

The present study was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Physiology & Biochemistry and Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India during the period of October, 2018 to November, 2019 to evaluate the effect of ground flaxseed supplementation on blood biochemical and metabolic status of buffalo calves. The experiment was performed on four apparently healthy male buffalo calves of 2.0–2.5 years age in this present investigation. They were divided in 2 groups in a switch over design. The animals of Group I were kept as control. The animals of group II were supplemented with Ground Flaxseed @ 15% on dry matter basis replacing oil seed cakes in TMR for 21 days. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals over a period of 21 days. The results revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in plasma glucose and cholesterol values in group II supplemented with ground flaxseed. There was no significant alteration with respect to the plasma total protein, triglycerides, creatinine, urea and total immunoglobulins in any of the groups. The erythrocytic lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in the flaxseed supplemented group as compared to non-supplemented group. Thus, the present investigation revealed that flaxseed supplementation improved the energy utilization reduced the oxidative stress in animals.

Trait Interactions and Yield Enhancement in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.): Insights from Correlation and Path Analysis

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a self-pollinated (2n = 30) annual Rabi season crop mainly cultivated for flax fiber and oil due to its commercial use. The present investigation was carried out to study an association analysis among the yield and yield attributes using 75 linseed genotypes including 10 checks in a randomized block design with three replications at Oilseeds Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India) during Rabi season of 2019-20. The correlation analysis revealed that the traits number of secondary branches per plant followed the number of primary branches per plant and number of capsules per plant at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. The results of the path coefficient analysis revealed that traits such as the number of secondary branches per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of seeds per capsule, and plant height exhibited a strong and positive direct effect on seed yield per plant at both the genotypic and phenotypic levels. The seed yield can be improved by selecting traits such as number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches, number of capsules per plant, and plant height. It is recommended that the breeder focus on these traits in linseed to enhance its commercial value for the farming community.

Investigation of the reproducibility of the treatment efficacy of a commercial bio stimulant using metabolic profiling on flax

Introduction and objectivesSince the use of a bio stimulant should provide a response to a problem that depends on the production system implemented (crops, plant model, soil, climate, the farmer’s practices…), the agricultural sector is facing concomitant challenges of choosing the best bio stimulant that suits their needs. Thus, understanding bio stimulant-plant interactions, at molecular level, using metabolomics approaches is a prerequisite, for the development of a bio stimulant, leading to an effective exploration and application of formulations in agriculture. AGRO-K®, is commercialized as a plant-based bio stimulant that improve vigor and enhance resistance to lodging in cereal crops. A recent previous untargeted metabolomics study has demonstrated the ability of this bio stimulant to improve wheat resistance to lodging, in real open-field conditions. However, the reproducibility of the impact of this bio stimulant in other filed crops is not yet investigated.MethodsTherefore, the present study aimed to assess the changes in primary and secondary metabolites in the roots, stems, and leaves of fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum L), treated with the bio stimulant, using NMR and LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics approach.Results and conclusionsIn addition to the previous result conducted in wheat, the present analysis seemed to show that this bio stimulant led to a similar pathway enhancement in flax. The pathways which seem to be reproducibly impacted are hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs), phenylpropanoids and flavonoids. Impacting these pathways enhance root growth and elongation and cell wall lignification, which can aid in preventing crop lodging. These results confirm that HCAAs, flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids could serve as signatory biomarkers of the impact of AGRO-K® on improving lodging resistance across various plant species.

Effect of dried mucilage extracted from basil, chia, cress, and flax seeds on zebda-mango ice milk prepared using camel’s milk

Effect of dried mucilage extracted from basil, chia, cress, and flax seeds on zebda-mango ice milk prepared using camel’s milk

Formulation and Sensory Evaluation of Symbiotic Kulfi with Lactobacillus lactis, Banana (Musa paradisiaca) Powder and Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) Powder as a Functional Ingredients

Kulfi was one of the old frozen dessert earlier which was popular in rural area, nowadays that scope increased in both rural and urban area. Many probiotic dairy products are present in market but probiotic ice cream extending their space widely, some alterations were made to slight increase the viability of probiotic microorganisms that provide wide health benefits to consumers and peoples were more sensitive lactose intolerance by breakdown of complex sugars into simpler form. In this study made to production of symbiotic kulfi by incorporation of probiotic culture lactobacillus lactis (0.05g/100g), Banana powder (musa paradisiaca) (8g, 16g. 24g), and Flax seed (Linum usitatissimum) powder as a prebiotic source (2g, 4g, 6g). Banana powder and flax seed powder, not only act as prebiotic source along with provides good texture and taste with increased color and appearance of the kulfi samples. The effect of banana powder and flax seed powder reveals the survivability of probiotic microorganisms, variation in nutritional composition and sensory property. Viability of probiotic microorganisms was slight decreased by increasing in days of storage at freeze condition. In comparison of C1, P1, P2, P3 the acidity was decreased (0.22, 0.20, 0.16), Total soluble solid (50.1, 57.1, 62.5) and total carbohydrate increased. The increase in prebiotic concentration, saturated fat (5.30, 4.80, 4.30), total fat and sodium concentration was decreased. By comparing all kulfi samples, P1 sample got the highest score in both sensory attributes and nutritional analysis.

Expression profiles of genes involved in lignan synthesis in developing flax seeds

Flax seeds are the richest plant source of lignans, which prevent the development of many diseases. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is the predominant lignan in seeds of the cultivated species Linum usitatissimum. We sequenced transcriptomes of flax seeds at five developmental stages for 8 varieties differing in lignan content grown under three different conditions and evaluated the expression of PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes, which play a key role in SDG synthesis. The co-expression of PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes was detected, and the expression level of these genes was observed to change tens and hundreds of times during seed development, confirming their role in SDG synthesis in flax seeds. Low temperature (16 °С) and abundant watering resulted in a shift of the maximum expression level of both genes to later dates (14th day after flowering) compared to poor watering and high temperature (24 °С) and optimal conditions (20 °С) (7th day after flowering). Meanwhile, the expression level of PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes was lower under high temperature and poor watering than under optimal conditions. No association was found between lignan content in seeds of the studied flax varieties and the expression level of PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes. Our results provide important information on the contribution of genotype and environment to the expression of key genes of SDG synthesis, which is also necessary for the development of optimal approaches to obtain lignan-rich flax seeds.

Effect of Irrigation Scheduling on Growth, Yield and Irrigation Water use Efficiency of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of irrigation scheduling on growth, yield and water use efficiency of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), Raichur, during the rabi season of 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, replicated four times. There were five treatments viz., T1: Pre sowing irrigation only, T2: Pre sowing irrigation fb one irrigation at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), T3: Pre sowing irrigation fb two irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS) and flowering stage (40-45 DAS), T4: Pre sowing irrigation fb three irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), flowering stage (40-45 DAS) and capsule development stage (60-65 DAS) and T5: Rainfed condition. The results revealed that significantly higher plant height (60.94 cm), number of branches plant-1 (6.18), leaf area (36.94 cm2 plant-1), total dry matter production (16.41 g plant-1), number of capsules plant-1 (44.27), number of seeds (8.18 capsule-1), seed weight (2.98 g palnt-1), seed yield (1106 kg ha-1) and straw yield (2344 kg ha-1) was registered with pre-sowing irrigation fb three irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS), flowering stage (40-45 DAS) and capsule development stage (60-65 DAS) which was found to be on par with pre-sowing irrigation fb two irrigations at vegetative stage (30-35 DAS) and flowering stage (40-45 DAS). Further, (T4) recorded significantly lower water use efficiency (5.26 kg ha-mm-1). Whereas the treatment under rainfed conditions (T5) recorded significantly higher water use efficiency (13.59 kg ha-mm-1) than all other treatments.

Yield Attributes and Economics of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivars under Irrigated Uphill Condition of Indian Himalayan Region in Nagaland

Background: Linseed is an upright annual herbaceous plant that grows up to a height of 30-120 cm with slight glabrous, grayish green stem while flax types grow to a height of 80-120 cm with straight culms and fewer secondary branches near the top of the stem. The colour of linseed flowers depends on the varieties. According to Vavilov, the small-seeded type is grown primarily for oil purposes while the bold seeded type is grown primarily for fibre purposes. Methods: The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications and consisted of seven linseed varieties viz., JLS-95, RLC-153, LSL-93, T-397, Shekhar, Priyam and Parvati. Result: Among all the varieties JLS-95 produced higher yield attributes viz., number of capsules plants-1, seed yield (Kg ha-1) and stover yield as well was statistically superior in variety JLS-95 over the other varieties. The variety JLS-95 recorded maximum gross returns, net returns and B:C compared to the other varieties.

Analysis of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Yield-related Traits of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Linseed is recognized as an excellent source of essential minerals, nutrients, and is particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), making it highly recommended for cardiovascular health. It is cultivated mainly for both linen and oil production, which is used for the production of paints, varnishes, and linoleum paste. The objective of the present investigation was to analyze genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for yield and yield traits among 75 linseed genotypes including ten checks using Randomized Block Design with three replications at Oilseeds Research Farm, Kalyanpur, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, (India) during Rabi season 2019-20. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation across all studied traits. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from low to high, with the lowest GCV and PCV observed for days to maturity, number of seeds per capsule, and days to 50% flowering. Conversely, the highest GCV and PCV values were recorded for seed yield per plant (g), number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, and plant height. All traits recorded the highest heritability. High heritability and genetic advance were recorded for seed yield per plant, number of capsules per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, plant height, thousand seed weight, number of primary branches and oil content, indicating the presence of additive gene action for these characters. In conclusion, the genotypes studied show significant genetic variation for yield and its attributes, which should be leveraged in future breeding programs.

Comparison of structural and functional properties between two protein isolates from flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds

Comparison of structural and functional properties between two protein isolates from flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds

Effect of Foliar Application of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on Yield, Yield Components, Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Availability, and Anatomical Traits in Three Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivars Grown under Sandy Soil Conditions

Effect of Foliar Application of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on Yield, Yield Components, Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Availability, and Anatomical Traits in Three Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivars Grown under Sandy Soil Conditions

Stimulating endogenous hormone content by plant extracts: increased in vitro regeneration of flax (Linum usitatissimum) cultivars

Stimulating endogenous hormone content by plant extracts: increased in vitro regeneration of flax (Linum usitatissimum) cultivars

The effect of spermidine supplementation on polyamine metabolism and Fusarium infection in Linum usitatissimum

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a valuable industrial crop in temperate climate zones. However, the prevalence of fungal diseases, particularly those caused by Fusarium oxysporum sp. linii, poses a substantial threat, leading to significant crop losses and diminished interest in flax cultivation. In this study, flax plants were treated with spermidine and subsequently infected with Fusarium oxysporum to investigate multiple aspects: (1) the uptake of exogenous spermidine by the plants, (2) the impact of this uptake on the levels of other polyamines and the expression of polyamine biosynthesis genes, and (3) the effects of fungal infection on these parameters. The results demonstrated that flax plants effectively absorb spermidine, leading to substantial changes in the levels of polyamines and the expression of related genes in both roots and shoots. Notably, spermidine treatment resulted in significant alterations in the levels of putrescine and spermine, as well as in the transcript levels of key genes involved in polyamine biosynthesis. Moreover, Fusarium oxysporum infection itself induced changes in polyamine content and gene expression, which varied between root and shoot tissues. When spermidine-treated plants were infected with Fusarium oxysporum, a more complex response was observed, characterized by modifications in polyamine levels and gene expression that suggest an enhanced defense mechanism against the pathogen. These findings indicate that polyamine treatment not only affects the infection process but also modulates the plant's internal polyamine metabolism and gene expression, contributing to an improved resistance to fungal attack. This study highlights the potential of spermidine as a protective agent in flax and provides a foundation for further exploration of polyamine-related defense mechanisms.

Unveiling the Power of Flax Lignans: From Plant Biosynthesis to Human Health Benefits.

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is the richest plant source of lignin secondary metabolites. Lignans from flax have been applied in the fields of food, medicine, and health due to their significant physiological activities. The most abundant lignan is secoisolariciresinol, which exists in a glycosylated form in plants. After ingestion, it is converted by human intestinal flora into enterodiol and enterolactone, which both have physiological roles. Here, the basic structures, contents, synthesis, regulatory, and metabolic pathways, as well as extraction and isolation methods, of flax lignans were reviewed. Additionally, the physiological activity-related mechanisms and their impacts on human health, from the biosynthesis of lignans in plants to the physiological activity effects observed in animal metabolites, were examined. The review elucidates that lignans, as phenolic compounds, not only function as active substances in plants but also offer significant nutritional values and health benefits when flax is consumed.

Production and characterization of pulp and paper from flax straw

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a bast fiber plant known for its long fibers, making it an excellent source of pulp for paper production. In Ethiopia, flax is primarily cultivated for oil, with the residual straw utilized for papermaking. This study focuses on pulping flax straw using the Kraft process and investigates its chemical composition, proximate analysis, and morphological properties. The proximate analysis revealed an ash content of 4.13% and moisture content of 11%. Chemical composition analysis showed cellulose at 51.34%, hemicellulose at 25.20%, lignin at 14.12%, ash at 4.13%, and extractives at 5.21%. The morphological properties included a fiber length of 1.41 mm, diameter of 16.78 μm, lumen width of 9.45 μm, and cell wall thickness of 3.77 μm. Flax straw exhibited an acceptable Runkel ratio (0.8) and flexibility coefficient (56.32), placing it within the range of non-wood fibers. SEM analysis of the pulp’s morphology was conducted to assess fiber structure, including the presence of cracks. Pulp quality and length are directly linked to paper strength. Various pulping conditions were studied using a full-factorial design, with optimum conditions being 10% alkaline, 131.74°C, and 120 min of cooking time, yielding a pulp with a Kappa number of 10.45 and a yield of 40.56%. The resulting paper demonstrated standard tensile, tearing, and burst strengths, indicating that flax straw is a promising raw material for paper production.

Oilseed Cakes: A Promising Source of Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Agents-Insights from Lactuca sativa.

This study evaluated the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of methanolic extracts derived from oilseed cakes of Lactuca sativa (lettuce), Nigella sativa (black seed), Eruca sativa (rocket), and Linum usitatissimum (linseed). Lettuce methanolic extract showed the highest potential, so it was selected for further investigation. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) analysis and bioassay-guided fractionation of lettuce seed cake extract led to the isolation of five compounds: 1,3-propanediol-2-amino-1-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl) (1), luteolin (2), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (3), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (4), and β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (5). Compound (1) was identified from Lactuca species for the first time, with high yield. The cytotoxic effects of the isolated compounds were tested on liver (HepG2) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines, compared to normal cells (WI-38). Compounds (2), (3), and (4) exhibited strong activity in all assays, while compound (1) showed weak antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. The anti-inflammatory activity of lettuce seed cake extract and compound (1) was evaluated in vivo using a carrageenan-induced paw oedema model. Compound (1) and its combination with ibuprofen significantly reduced paw oedema, lowered inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-α, PGE2), and restored antioxidant enzyme activity. Additionally, compound (1) showed promising COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition in an in vitro enzymatic anti-inflammatory assay, with IC50 values of 17.31 ± 0.65 and 4.814 ± 0.24, respectively. Molecular docking revealed unique interactions of compound (1) with COX-1 and COX-2, suggesting the potential for targeted inhibition. These findings underscore the value of oilseed cakes as a source of bioactive compounds that merit further investigation.

Green synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles via Linum usitatissimum seeds extract and assessment of its biological effects

AbstractIn the current work, CeO2‐NPs were produced via a green chemistry process via Linum usitatissimum seeds extract as the stabilizing agent. The CeO2‐NPs were characterized by the results of analytical techniques such as TGA/DTA, FTIR, UV–vis, XPS, XRD, and FESEM/PSA/EDX. The outcomes of the XRD pattern affirmed the crystalline structure of this product with the suggested size of about 20 nm, while the FESEM/PSA pictures presented spherical morphology. Additionally, the XPS analysis of CeO2‐NPs affirmed the presence of a Ce+3 oxidation state in the sample, as well as Ce+4 as the major valence of cerium oxide. The results of the MTT test on Huh‐7 cancer cells and HFF normal cells displayed the lack of any significant cytotoxicity even at concentrations up to 1000 µg/mL. Therefore, the obtained synthesized CeO2‐NPs through this green method could be suggested as a prospective agent for medical applications due to its non‐toxic effects.

Methods for the accelerated creation of updated high-quality flax seeds in primary seed production

Relevance. The creation of high-quality oilseed flax seeds using new plant breeding methods is an imperative principle with the advent of better crop seed production. Current methods for creating such seeds continue to be complicated and laborious. In this regard, the development of more advanced methods for obtaining renewed seeds with a high level of manifestation of sowing, various types and morphophysiological properties is relevant and has practical importance.Methods. The experiments were carried out in accordance with the methods of planting, conducting field experiments with flax, and methodological recommendations for seed production of oil flax. The assessment of sowing quality and seed material was carried out in accordance with the current certification system , varietal quality — by the soil control method.Results. The high efficiency of creating updated oilseed flax seeds using the method of plant selection during the growing season — from the beginning to the end of full flowering, which allowed for a significant increase in their yield to 61.5%, compared with the control. Selection of plants in the interval from the beginning to the end of full flowering ensured the preservation of the sowing qualities of the created seeds at the control level — selection according to the current method, as well as increasing the uniformity of indicators of the morphophysiological properties of seeds, including the uniformity of seed sprouts along the length by 4.6%. The selection method with the removal of plants atypical in morphological charakteristics compared with the control allowed to increase the yield of updated oilseed flax seeds by 29.7%, improve their morphophysiological properties. The varietal quality of the updated seed material for all methods of its creation was characterized by the absence of atypical seeds in color and minor differences between the options in the uniformity of varietal characteristics.

Adaptability of hybrid populations of Linum usitatissimum L. in conditions of the Northern Transural region

Relevance. The selection of genotypes with high adaptive properties for the conditions of the Tyumen region allows us to contribute to the development of a regional strategy for breeding and genetic work, selection and cultivation of varieties in connection with changing weather and climatic conditions.Material and methodology. The research was carried out over a three-year period (2020-2022) in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Tyumen region. Intervarietal hybridization (4x4 scheme), evaluation of the obtained material according to morphological (4 pcs.), biological (1 pc.), adaptive indicators (2 pcs.) was carried out using generally accepted methods. The objects of study were 12 combinations of fiber flax, first obtained in the region.Results. Significant differences (p<0.05*) were determined between hybrid populations of fiber flax in the influence of genotype, environment, and genotype-environment interaction on the degree of implementation of the studied traits. Correlation relationships have been identified that determine the fiber content in the stem (r=0.79-0.91*, growing season, plant height, inflorescence length, softness, camber), the number and weight of seeds per plant (r=0.79-0 ,91*, inflorescence length, number, size and crackability of the capsule). Based on the results of individual selection in the third hybrid generation (F3), early ripening (4 pieces), tall (n=4), with the maximum number of bolls (n=4) and the number of seeds in them (n=7), fiber content (n =4) in the stem of the combination.Conclusions. Hybrid combinations of fiber flax with high levels of stable properties (G1, G3, G9, G10, G11), productivity criteria (G1, G2, G4, G7, G8, G9, G11, G12) can be valuable in breeding work.