Recent research in flaxseed (oil seed) on molecular structure and metabolic characteristics of protein, heat processing-induced effect and nutrition with advanced synchrotron-based molecular techniques

ABSTRACT

Advanced synchrotron radiation-based infrared microspectroscopy is able to reveal feed and food structure feature at cellular and molecular levels and simultaneously provides composition, structure, environment, and chemistry within intact tissue. However, to date, this advanced synchrotron-based technique is still seldom known to food and feed scientists. This article aims to provide detailed background for flaxseed (oil seed) protein research and then review recent progress and development in flaxseed research in ruminant nutrition in the areas of (1) dietary inclusion of flaxseed in rations; (2) heat processing effect; (3) assessing dietary protein; (4) synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy as a tool of nutritive evaluation within cellular and subcellular dimensions; (5) recent synchrotron applications in flaxseed research on a molecular basis. The information described in this paper gives better insight in flaxseed research progress and update.

KEYWORDS:

• Synchrotron radiation
• protein molecular structure
• oil seed
• nutrient utilization and availability
• processing

Funding

The Chair (PY) feed research programs have been supported by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC, Canadian federal government), SaskCanola, the Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Feed Research Chair Program, the Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP) of Agriculture and Agric-Food Canada (AAFC), Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), the Saskatchewan Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) and Feed Industries.