Flax Seeds–Source of Biomedical and Food Products

Abstract

Flax is a very important fibrous bast plant, both for valuable textile fibres and composites applications and for bioactive compounds used in folk medicine, nutraceuticals and functional food. Flax seeds are rich in valuable fatty acids, amino-acids, phytoestrogens, cyclolinopeptides, lecithin, waxes, lignin, pectin, mucilage, etc. ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are effective preventing cardiovascular and heart diseases. Flax-seeds lignans, class of phytoestrogens with beneficial impact in treating hormone dependent diseases, have been investigated for anticancer, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.Flax-seeds mucilage is recommended for treating gastrointestinal, throat and skin diseases due to its protective, laxative and emollient properties.

Keywords:

• Flax seeds
• unsaturated fatty acids
• lignans
• mucilage
• cyclolinopeptides

Funding

This paper was realized with the support of BASTEURES “Bast Plants–Renewable Strategic Resources for European Economy” (2010–2013); co-funded by European Union and Romanian Government through the European Regional Development Fund, Sectoral Operational Programme “Increase of Economic Competitiveness: Investing for your future”.