Genes Associated with the Flax Plant Type (Oil or Fiber) Identified Based on Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing Data

As a result of the breeding process, there are two main types of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) plants. Linseed is used for obtaining seeds, while fiber flax is used for fiber production. We aimed to identify the genes associated with the flax plant type, which could be important for the formation of agronomically valuable traits. A search for polymorphisms was performed in genes involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall components, lignans, fatty acids, and ion transport based on genome sequencing data for 191 flax varieties. For 143 of the 424 studied genes (4CL, C3′H, C4H, CAD, CCR, CCoAOMT, COMT, F5H, HCT, PAL, CTL, BGAL, ABC, HMA, DIR, PLR, UGT, TUB, CESA, RGL, FAD, SAD, and ACT families), one or more polymorphisms had a strong correlation with the flax type. Based on the transcriptome sequencing data, we evaluated the expression levels for each flax type-associated gene in a wide range of tissues and suggested genes that are important for the formation of linseed or fiber flax traits. Such genes were probably subjected to the selection press and can determine not only the traits of seeds and stems but also the characteristics of the root system or resistance to stresses at a particular stage of development, which indirectly affects the ability of flax plants to produce seeds or fiber.

How Can Flaxseed be Utilized as Functional Food

Although vegetables and fruits are unquestionably important components of food, incorporating herbs and spices into one’s diet has become a must to improve one’s health in today’s world. Due to rising popularity among health-conscious consumers, studies on functional foods such as herbs are a growing field in food science. Flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum L.), which comes from the flax plant, an annual herb, is gaining interest as a functional food ingredient due to its high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber. Flaxseed consumption in the diet helps to prevent serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal, renal, and bone problems. Type II diabetes, in particular, is one of the great healthcare challenges of the twenty-first century, as it has engulfed children, adolescents, and young adults alike. While standard risk factors for type II diabetes are genetics, living style, and behavioral aspects, this article focuses on preventing or controlling the disease through dietary changes. To the best of our knowledge, review articles on the commercial use of flaxseed in the formulation of numerous food products with low glycemic index and their impact on diabetes are hardly available. The data from the previous 5 years is used to compile this report.

A Review on Flax Seed: A Legume for Longevity

Flax seed, tiny packs of nutrients supply a wealth of health benefits. Dietary flaxseed has an amazing use in a different health conditions. Research evidences on the properties of dietary flaxseed have wide spread information. It has been found that the tiny, edible seeds of the flax plant, have gained superfood status because of its therapeutic values in preventing the diseases. From the past few years, there is growing evidences that the people have become more health conscious. Many trials have been conducted with the upgraded standards of control available in order to provide consistent information on its significance to the general community. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the research that have reinforced the growth of flaxseed as a commodity with importance in the health and medicine fields. Flaxseed is emerging as a vital functional food element because of its rich contents of α- linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders. The role of the Flax protein in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system has been proven. The present review focuses on the evidences of the potential health benefits of flaxseed through human and animals. Its role in enhancing the longevity by alleviating the common health challenges like hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

THE TEXT OF PLINY, HN 19.4–5

In the passage about the flax plant, lini natura et miracula (HN 1.19) at the beginning of Book 19 (1–25) of his Naturalis historia, Pliny launches into a moralizing diatribe on man's assault against Nature, fulminating against the evils which man brings upon himself by taking to the high seas in ships with sails. The passage culminates in the rhetorical outburst audax uita, scelerumque plena (19.4), which serves as something of a moral aphorism for the jeremiad as a whole. Although it has been the subject of much discussion in Plinian scholarship, the text still remains in need of attention (HN 19.4–5): audax uita, scelerumque plena! aliquid seri, ut uentos procellasque capiat, 5. et parum esse fluctibus solis uehi, iam uero nec uela satis esse maiora nauigiis, sed, cum uix amplitudini antemnarum singulae arbores sufficiant, super eas tamen addi alia uela, praeterque alia in proris et alia in puppibus pandi, ac tot modis prouocari mortem, denique tam paruo semine nasci quod orbem terrarum ultro citro portet, tam gracili auena, tam non alte a tellure tolli, neque id uiribus suis necti, sed fractum tunsumque et in mollitiem lanae coactum iniuria ad summam audaciam peruenire!