Quality of western Canadian flaxseed 2022

Quality data by province

Tables 4 and 5 contain detailed information on the quality of No. 1 brown flaxseed from western Canada in 2022. The number of harvest samples collected from each province may not represent the actual production or grade distribution. There were, however, a sufficient number of samples to provide good quality information for each province. Samples followed the historical trends in provincial production.

Flaxseed is used as a source of oil. Alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in flaxseed, can play an important role in maintaining good health in humans and animals. It is the main reason for the increased use of whole and ground flaxseed in cereals and baked goods. Flaxseed is also used as a source of oil and protein in animal feed. For example, flaxseed incorporated into chicken feed can result in hen’s producing eggs that are high in omega-3 fatty acid.

Iodine value is a measure of the overall unsaturation of oil and is calculated from the fatty acid composition. Oils with higher iodine values (with more unsaturation), polymerize more rapidly in the presence of air. In flaxseed, iodine value is directly related to the amount of α-linolenic acid present in the oil. Alpha-linolenic acid is one of the most important quality factors for industrial use as it is responsible for most of the flaxseed oil’s drying properties.