Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed Oil

　　Flax, or oil flax, refers to the plant grown for its seeds. Flaxseed oil is a yellowish, semi-transparent liquid obtained by pressing flaxseeds using traditional methods or oil presses.

Flax can be divided into oil flax, fiber flax, and dual-purpose flax, based on usage. All are annual herbaceous plants of the Linaceae family. The flaxseed is flat and oval, dark brown, glossy, and suitable for oil extraction. Flaxseed oil can be used for cooking, frying food, or producing paint, ink, soap, and more. Flaxseeds also contain 6%–10% flaxseed gum. This gum is a polysaccharide-based pectin-like substance that includes about 12% protein, around 17% pectic acid, starch, minerals, and other components. It can serve as a food additive, cosmetic ingredient, or pharmaceutical raw material. Extracting the flaxseed gum not only increases the oil yield of the seeds but also significantly improves the quality of the flaxseed oil. The leftover oil cake also makes high-quality animal feed and fertilizer. The stem bark of flax produces fine, tough fibers that are wear-resistant and resistant to water rot, making them suitable for textiles, fishing gear, hemp ropes, and sacks. (Yinchuan)