Search Results (210)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prolonged mild thermal treatment (65 °C, 7 days) in the presence of flaxseed oil (0.16%, w/w), on the structural, pasting, texture, and emulsifying properties of cassava starch (CS). The resulting sample was designated as CS-oil-h. Confocal laser scanning micrographs showed oil on the interface of starch granules promoted granule agglomeration. DSC and FTIR analyses showed no detectable evidence of amylose–lipid complexes or new covalent bonds. Compared to CS, CS-oil-h exhibited slight variations in pasting temperature and peak time, and significantly lower peak, trough, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities. CS-oil-h gel showed higher hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness when compared to the CS gel. Crucially, CS-oil-h exhibited the best emulsifying ability (60.8%, volume of emulsion layer relative to total tube volume after 30 min standing) and emulsion stability (94.1%, after 7 days of storage). The result suggested that the prolonged mild thermal treatment may have promoted putative surface association between flaxseed oil and the surface of starch granules, which resulted in inhibition of pasting viscosity and improved gel properties and emulsifying ability. Full article

Traditionally, various herbs and spices are used to enhance the flavor and aroma of vegetable oils, but also to improve their nutritional value and stability. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of sea fennel, an aromatic edible Mediterranean halophyte plant, leaf infusion, on the chemical composition of four unrefined edible vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, sesame and flaxseed oil). During the 90-day storage period, the quality parameters of the oils (peroxide value, free fatty acids and fatty acid profile), as well as their volatiles, were monitored. Free fatty acids and peroxide values increased in all samples, with the greatest increase in the olive oil (11% and 45%, respectively), while the effect on the fatty acid profile was negligible. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the effect of oil aromatization by sea fennel components and confirmed the differences between oil samples. The results suggest that the addition of sea fennel to vegetable oils leads to changes in their chemical composition, and the parameters tested varied between the oils used. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid buildup are key features of cardiometabolic disorders caused by high-fat, high-cholesterol diets. Both curcumin and flaxseed oil have been shown to improve lipid metabolism through different mechanisms. This study examined the effects of combining curcumin with flaxseed oil on lipid metabolism in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet and further investigated the underlying mechanisms using liver and serum lipidomic analyses. Methods: Thirty-two male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group): control, high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (HFD), HFD with low-dose curcumin–flaxseed oil mixture, and HFD with high-dose curcumin–flaxseed oil mixture. After 8 weeks, serum lipid profiles, hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), fecal TG and TC excretion, hepatic mRNA expression of SREBP-1, ACC, and FAS, and untargeted lipidomic profiles in serum and liver were analyzed. Results: Compared with the HFD group, curcumin–flaxseed oil supplementation significantly reduced serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, while HDL-C remained unchanged. Hepatic TG and TC accumulation also decreased significantly, accompanied by increased fecal TG and TC excretion, with a more pronounced effect in the high-dose group. Hepatic SREBP-1 and ACC mRNA expression increased in the low-dose group, whereas FAS expression remained unchanged. Lipidomic analysis showed notable remodeling of diacylglycerol species in both liver and serum. A similar trend was observed in serum TG profiles, particularly TG 54:1 and TG 52:2, suggesting that changes in circulating lipids may mirror the hepatic lipidomic response. Conclusions: Curcumin combined with flaxseed oil improved dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, potentially through increased lipid excretion and modulation of hepatic and circulating lipid profiles. Full article

The present study aimed to compare the composition structure, interfacial, and antioxidant activities of flaxseed protein isolates (FPIs) in different flaxseed varieties. The results showed that apparently intact protein bodies (PBs) were manifested as densely staining cytoplasmic inclusions with distinct boundaries and varying diameter ranges among different flaxseed varieties. Through alkali extraction with isoelectric precipitation, FPIs exhibited a relatively small and irregular lamellar strip structure with varying sizes and shapes packed with spherical particles in studied flaxseed varieties. The different composition structures of FPIs among studied flaxseed varieties were also obtained, involving the protein subunits’ intrinsic fluorescence properties, secondary structures, and amino acid profiles. These structural differences also led to differential purities, aqueous solubility, dispersion properties, and surface charges. Moreover, the varying emulsifying and foaming properties of FPIs from different flaxseed varieties were also observed due to the formation of coarse lipid droplets (5~40 μm) and foams (20~100 μm) with the specific structure of the oil/gas–water interface and bulk aqueous phase. The retention of phenolic compounds into FPIs still displayed evident variety specificity from 323 to 478 mg/100 g and 210 to 347 mg/100 g, which definitely led to escalated antioxidant activities. Thus, FPIs from Longya 13# and Neiya 9# flaxseed varieties were screened for favorable emulsifying and foaming properties due to the balanced molecular rigidity/unfolding and interfacial adsorption/stabilization behavior. Full article

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are vital for brain health and cognitive function. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) regulates mood via serotonin, while the hypothalamus (HYP) controls energy homeostasis. Flaxseed oil (FLAX) is rich in omega-3 PUFAs like α-linolenic acid (ALA), and has been reported to influence serotonergic signaling in mammals, but data in poultry are scarce. This study investigated the effects of FLAX on metabolites crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to serotonergic brain regions and on growth performance in broiler chickens. Day-old chicks (n = 160) were assigned to two diets (5 replicates/treatment): control (CON; poultry fat-based diet) or FLAX (3% inclusion level). Growth performance was recorded, and DRN, HYP, and plasma were analyzed using HPLC-MS metabolomics. Serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA were quantified using LC-MS/MS. FLAX-fed birds had higher body weight gain (p < 0.0055) and better feed conversion ratio (p < 0.0049) than CON. Metabolomics identified 2271 features, of which 650 were annotated as metabolites. Of 35 differentially abundant plasma metabolites, eight were also differentially abundant in brain tissues. In the DRN, tryptophan (serotonin precursor) and corydaline (neuroprotective) were upregulated. Serotonin levels were significantly higher in both the DRN and HYP of FLAX-fed birds compared to CON. This suggest that dietary flaxseed oil may modulate stress responses, behavior, and welfare in broilers. In the HYP, dethiobiotin (energy), galanthamine (neuroprotective), and gambogic acid (antioxidative) were upregulated, while xanthoxyletin (anti-inflammatory) was downregulated. In conclusion, flaxseed oil improved growth and elevated serotonin in the DRN and HYP via enhanced tryptophan availability, suggesting potential benefits for stress resilience and welfare. Full article

The microbial production of value-added lipids by oleaginous yeasts has attracted considerable interest as a sustainable alternative to conventional lipid sources. In this study, the effects of selected fermentation parameters on biomass production, lipid production, and fatty acid composition of Yarrowia lipolytica YB-423 were investigated using flaxseed and chia seed oils as carbon sources. A Taguchi method was employed to evaluate and optimize the influence of temperature, fermentation time, nitrogen concentration, and oil supplementation. The results showed that nitrogen availability was the dominant factor governing biomass formation. The highest lipid production was achieved at 21 °C after 6 days of fermentation in the absence of an added nitrogen source supplemented with 10 mL/L oil, resulting in lipid contents of 62.53% and 64.61% for flaxseed and chia seed oils, respectively. Lipid content was primarily influenced by nitrogen concentration and oil supplementation, while temperature and fermentation time showed secondary but significant effects. Beyond total lipid production, fatty acid profiling demonstrated that both oil sources supported PUFA-rich lipid production; however, chia seed oil resulted in a broader variation in α-linolenic acid (ALA) content across fermentation conditions. The highest ALA content reached 67.40% at 14 °C after 4 days of fermentation under 30 mL/L chia seed oil supplementation. Additionally, ALA levels reached approximately 62% at 7 °C under higher chia seed oil concentrations (20–30 mL/L). In contrast, flax seed oil yielded relatively stable ALA levels, generally ranging between 45% and 56%, depending on fermentation parameters. Full article

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are increasingly applied as functional nutrients to improve broiler health, metabolic resilience, and meat quality. However, studies remain inconsistent regarding optimal inclusion levels and their efficacy. This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. This study included 69 experimental studies that met predefined eligibility criteria, requiring broiler-specific trials with clear reporting of omega-3 source, inclusion level, and measurable outcomes related to growth, immune or antioxidant function, gut morphology, fatty acid composition, or meat quality. Searches were performed in Scopus and Web of Science for peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. Across studies, supplementation with fish oil, flaxseed, or algal oil consistently increased the deposition of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in broiler tissues. Omega-3 inclusion improved immune modulation, gut morphology, and antioxidant enzyme activity while reducing inflammatory markers and lipid peroxidation. Meat quality benefits included lower n-6:n-3 ratios by improving tenderness and juiciness and enhanced oxidative stability with no detrimental effects on growth performance. Nevertheless, responses varied with broiler strain, dietary formulation, feeding phase, antioxidant protection, and environmental conditions. As high levels of marine oils remained susceptible to oxidative degradation. Overall, omega-3 supplementation represents a viable and scalable precision-nutrition strategy for enriching poultry meat and supporting broiler health. Future research should prioritize cost-effective algal sources, establish phase-specific inclusion thresholds across genetic lines, and evaluate synergy with natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds to optimize oxidative stability, shelf life, and consumer acceptance. Full article

A simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in edible oil was developed and validated. Nickel oxide-deposited silica (SiO₂@NiO) was employed as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent for the extraction of BaP from edible oil, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis of BaP. The edible oil was diluted with n-hexane and directly loaded to SiO₂@NiO for SPE. The n-hexane was also used to clean the fat-soluble interference substance in the edible oil, and BaP was selectively captured using SiO₂@NiO through the electron donor–acceptor interaction. The SPE conditions, including the amount of adsorbent, volume of washing solvent, and type and volume of desorption solvent, were optimized. This SiO₂@NiO-based SPE coupled with the HPLC-DAD method demonstrated good linearity within a BaP concentration range of 6–1875 ng/g in edible oils, with a limit of detection of 1.3 ng/g, spiked recovery of 97.4–105.1%, and relative standard deviation (RSD) of <3.0%. The method was applied to the analysis of BaP in 11 real oil samples (soybean oil, olive oil, corn germ oil, flaxseed oil, walnut oil, sunflower kernel oil, peanut oil, unrefined oil, and high-temperature frying oil), and the results show that the unrefined oil and high-temperature frying oil were at risk of BaP exceeding acceptable level. Full article

Four probiotic strains were used to ferment germinated highland barley, and the Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii, which exhibited the highest viability after fermentation, were selected. Subsequently, a response surface test was applied to identify taste-enhancing additives, including concentrated orange juice, erythritol, and flaxseed oil. The optimal concentrations of these additives were 3.01%, 4.19%, and 0.52%, respectively. The stabilizing effects of β-glucan and four protein sources (whey, rice, pea, and soybean proteins) were assessed based on emulsion stability, and the combination of β-glucan and whey protein was identified as the most effective. Based on particle size and zeta potential analysis, the optimal β-glucan-to-whey protein ratio was determined to be 2:1. On this basis, a germinated highland barley probiotic beverage was developed. The results indicated that the total colony counts after simulated gastrointestinal digestion remained above 6 log CFU/mL, and the beverage was rich in dietary fiber and other nutrients. Full article

Background: Growing interest in sustainable packaging materials, such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), raises the question of whether they can effectively replace traditional glass in packaging cold-pressed vegetable oils, which are particularly susceptible to oxidation. Methods: Rapeseed oil and golden flaxseed oil were analyzed after 6 months of storage in glass and rPET bottles at 4 °C and 21 °C. Peroxide value, tocopherol content, sterol and oxyphytosterol profiles, color parameters, and triacylglycerol composition were evaluated using validated ISO/AOCS, HPLC, and GC methods; results were subjected to ANOVA statistical analysis. Results: Temperature was shown to be the main factor determining the rate of degradation, and flaxseed oil exhibited significantly lower oxidative stability compared with rapeseed oil. At 21 °C, a rapid increase in peroxide value, intensive tocopherol degradation, greater sterol losses, and deterioration of color were observed, particularly in samples stored in rPET. At 4 °C, the rate of change was markedly lower, and differences between glass and rPET remained minimal. Conclusions: Glass provides the best protection against oxidation; however, rPET can serve as a suitable packaging material for vegetable oils with higher oxidative stability stored under refrigerated conditions; at room temperature, it promotes a noticeable deterioration in oil quality. Full article

Adulteration of high-value oils such as olive and camellia oil poses serious challenges to market integrity and consumer safety. This study develops a comprehensive, model-free marker library for high-throughput detection of single and multivariate adulteration across nine vegetable oils (olive, camellia, sesame, rapeseed, flaxseed, soybean, peanut, industrial hemp seed, and sunflower seed oils) using untargeted metabolomics via UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. We identified 34 characteristic markers, including 9 confirmed by reference standards, such as hydroxytyrosol in olive oil, camelliasaponins in camellia oil, and sesamin in sesame oil, which are uniquely present in specific oils and absent in others. The method enables reliable qualitative screening of adulteration at levels as low as 5% without dependence on chemometric models. Validation using binary and multicomponent blends confirmed its robustness and specificity. In commercial sample analysis, adulteration was detected in 16.0% of olive oils (4/25) and 12.7% of camellia oils (7/55), with results consistent with regulatory findings. This work establishes the first integrated marker library for simultaneous screening of nine vegetable oils, offering a standardized, high-throughput tool for large-scale market surveillance that bridges the gap between discovery-based omics and routine regulatory practice. Full article

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a crop widely cultivated for fiber and oil production. The screening method for flax breeding must effectively address the biochemical characteristics of flaxseeds. In this study, to characterize flax cultivars, we extracted oil, defatted kernel, hull, and mucilage from whole seeds for the ATR-FT-MIR and FT-Raman spectroscopic measurements. In addition, for ATR-FT-MIR analysis, oil samples were obtained by pressing the flaxseed directly onto the crystal surface. After removing any seed residues, a grease stain was used for the measurement, allowing for the acquisition of the oil spectrum from a single seed. This method also enabled the detection of free fatty acids, serving as evidence of seed damage. Both methods effectively estimated the degree of unsaturation as a cultivar marker. The vibrational spectra of defatted kernels showed strong protein features; polysaccharide bands dominated in hull and mucilage spectra. Discrimination of flax cultivars using principal component analysis of vibrational spectra in specific regions was the most promising for flaxseed oil and mucilage. Multivariate analysis of a set of selected variables sensitive to the flaxseed oil composition successfully distinguished all flax cultivars of this study. The strong correlation observed between ATR-FT-MIR and FT-Raman results confirmed that these methods are comparable for characterizing different grades of flaxseed oil. Full article

Plant oils are increasingly explored as sustainable functional ingredients in topical emulsions due to their emollient properties and reported photoprotective potential. This study aimed to formulate physically stable W/O emulsions containing selected plant oils (olive, avocado, sesame, flaxseed, and grape seed oils) at two concentrations (15% and 30%) and to evaluate their physicochemical, rheological, occlusive, and UV-protective properties. All formulations were confirmed as W/O systems with skin-compatible pH values and demonstrated shear-thinning, non-Newtonian flow with varying degrees of thixotropy. Increasing oil content from 15% to 30% reduced shear stress, consistency index, and viscoelastic moduli, indicating a softer internal structure. Moreover, the viscosities of the emulsions were not solely determined by the viscosities of the individual oils, suggesting significant interactions with the emulsifier system. High occlusion factors were demonstrated for all emulsions, with the highest values observed for 30% olive- and grape seed oil–based formulations. Spectrophotometric SPF assessment revealed measurable UV-protective activity only for emulsions containing 30% olive, avocado, or flaxseed oil (SPF > 1). All formulations exhibited satisfactory physical stability under mechanical and thermal stress. These findings demonstrate that plant oils can modulate the structure and performance of W/O emulsions and may serve as valuable supportive ingredients in the development of photoprotective cosmetic products. Full article

Cold pressing is a sustainable oil extraction method that operates without chemical solvents, requires relatively low energy input, and preserves bioactive compounds, making it a recognized green technology in line with circular economy principles. By enabling full utilization of raw materials and valorization of by-products, it supports resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the development of bio-based products. This study provides the first comprehensive mapping of Serbia’s small-scale cold-pressed oil producers, based on data from the Central Register of Food Business Operators, local inspectorates, agricultural fairs, and social media, classified according to NUTS 2024 statistical regions. A total of 55 producers were identified, with over 60% operating as artisanal units (≤15 t/year), typically using screw presses of 20–50 kg/h capacity. Pumpkin seed was the most common raw material (30 producers), followed by sesame (21), hazelnut (20), sunflower (19), and flaxseed (19), while niche oils such as jojoba, argan, and rosehip were produced on a smaller scale. Medium and large facilities (>15 t/year) were concentrated in Vojvodina and central Serbia, focusing on high-volume seeds like sunflower and soybean. Integration of green screw press technologies, zero-kilometer supply chains, and press cake valorization positions this sector as a driver of rural development, biodiversity preservation, and environmental sustainability, providing a strong basis for targeted policy support and process optimization. Full article

The study evaluated the effect of moderate heating temperatures on physical, mechanical, and spectral properties of bulk flaxseeds and pressed oils. The samples of bulk flaxseeds were measured at 60 mm pressing height and subjected to pretreatment temperatures between 40 °C and 60 °C at 5 °C intervals at a constant heating time of 30 min. The uniaxial compression process, comprising a pressing chamber of a diameter of 60 mm with a plunger, was used for extracting the oil under a load of 300 kN and a speed of 5 mm/min. Prior to the oil extraction, the moisture content of the flaxseeds samples was determined to be 8.15 ± 0.07% d.b., and that of oil content was 40.32 ± 0.02%. Based on the results obtained, porosity, density, oil yield, and oil expression efficiency significantly correlated positively (p-value < 0.05) with the increase in heating temperatures. However, kinematic and dynamic viscosities, compressive stress, deformation energy, and hardness did not significantly correlate (p-value > 0.05) with heating temperature. The study revealed that heating temperatures increased oil yield from 11.54% to 24.18% and oil expression efficiency from 28.62% to 59.96% with the corresponding deformation energy of 0.698 ± 0.011 kJ at 60 °C. The findings suggest that mild thermal pretreatment of flaxseeds improves oil recovery with minimal energy requirement under the linear compression process. Full article