MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND MAIN INDICATORS OF SEED AND OIL QUALITY OF FLAXSEED - Linum usitatissimum L

Keywords: Linum usitatissimum L., flaxseed oil, seed, sensory traits, chemical traits, medicinal properties INTRODUCTION Linum usitatissimum L. contains up to 45% oil. he fatty acid composition, especially the high linolenic acid content of linseed oil makes it a valuable raw material for food and medicinal purposes. Flaxseed oil is used in a wide variety of applications, including additives in PVC plastics, antirust agents, laquers and paints, aroma substances for the food industry (Bonnarme et al., 1997) or volatile com-pounds for obtaining a fresh green odour to off setthe decreased odour caused by the processing of vegetables (Noordermeer et al., 2002). Unlike lowlands, some mountain valleys with moderate summer temperatures, high number of sunny hours and permanent wind activity create almost ideal conditions in the period of oil seed flax ripening. Since 2004, the seed has been multiplied on more locations with different climate conditions showing excellent adaptability.