18-7 |
Flaxseed Bioactives: A review of analytical methods for raw materials and consumer products |
A. MUIR and N. D. Westcott. Saskatoon Research Centre, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, BioProducts & Processing, 107 Science Pl., Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada Flax seed contains three main groups of bioactives; omega-3 fatty acids, soluble dietary fibre and lignans. The analytical methods for the first two categories are well established, however there are no approved analytical methods for lignans either in raw materials or in consumer products. Flax lignans occur in the seed as a component of an ester-linked complex comprised of a linear chain of SDG-HMGA repeating units with variable amounts of cinnamic acid glycosides linked by ester bonds. Flaxseed, flax seed meal, and flaxseed hull products have quite different characteristics and potential uses compared to concentrated lignan extracts or further processed extracts. The degree of processing may effect the compounds that can be detected and will also dictate sample preparation steps are necessary. For example, all whole seed and whole seed products will require a hydrolysis step to convert the lignan complex into compounds that can be reliably measured, while further processed products may not require this step. The type of hydrolysis employed (Acid vs base vs enzyme) will also determine what compounds can be measured and what analytical techniques are most appropriate.
Session 18, Chemistry and analysis of phytochemicals or plant bioactive materials
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