Author(s): Reema Verma, Ranu Prasad and Alka Gupta

Abstract:

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is cultivated inrnAraucanía Region for oil extraction. Studies have shown that crop yield isrnhigher in this Region, because of its soil and climate characteristics. Flax isrnbest suited for fertile, fine textured and loamy soils. They are however, richrnpotential sources of proteins for use as supplements in human diets. Flaxseed (Linumrnusitatissimum L.) is a rich source of nutritive and bioactive compounds.rnThe research evaluated the disparity in phytochemical profiles along with totalrnand cellular antioxidant activities between oil and fiber flaxseeds. There werernsignificant differences in total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidantrnactivities among the six cultivars of fiber and oil flaxseed, respectively.rnFour phytochemical compounds including caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid andrnferulic acid, and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) were identified andrnquantified in the cultivars of oil and fiber flaxseed by HPLC analysis.rnNotably, the average of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, along with totalrnantioxidant activities between fiber and oil flaxseeds were not differentrnsignificantly; even the cellular antioxidant activity of fiber flaxseed wasrnsuperior to oil flaxseed. These results suggest that fiber flaxseeds would bernvaluable candidates as functional products and dietary supplements productionrnowing to the higher bioactive values as well as oil flaxseeds.