Medicinal properties and main indicators of seed and oil quality of flaxseed - Linum usitatissimum L.

Abstract

Linum usitatissimum L. contains up to 45% oil. Linseed oil is a favourable fatty acid composition with a high linolenic acid content. Flaxseed oil is a valuable raw material for food and medical purposes due to its fatty acid composition and high content of linolenic acid. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have shown that these compounds have therapeutic potential in several indications in neurology, psychiatry and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of flax seed oils extracted from flax seed produced under different environmental conditions. Flax seed quality is highly dependent on weather conditions in the year of flax production, therefore the influence of the extreme weather events to the seed quality traits were also examined. The material consisted of nine samples of cold extracted oil from three flax varieties. Flaxseed oil production took place at five locations from 100 m to 700 m above sea level. The results indicate that high quality flax seed oil production is conditioned with proper farm technology, weather conditions and adequate storage. Oil rancidity and self - ignition of seed appeared in a case of improper seed storage. The expansion of the oilseed flax production should be accompanied by the education of farmers and potential consumers of flax products.