Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) bioactive compounds and peptide nomenclature: AÂ review

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an oilseed used in industrial and natural health products. Flaxseed accumulates many biologically active compounds and elements including linolenic acid, linoleic acid, lignans, cyclic peptides, polysaccharides, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, and cadmium. Most biological and clinical studies of flaxseed have focused on extracts containing α-linolenic acid or lignan. Other flaxseed compounds have received less attention and their activity is not well described. The benefits of consumption of whole flaxseed fractions such as oil, mucilage and protein indicate that consideration of the entire portfolio of bioactives present is required to associate biological activity with specific compounds.