EVALUATION OF PROTEIN AND ANTINUTRITIONAL COMPOUNDS CONTENT IN MEAL FROM SEVEN FLAX VARIETIES

Flaxseed meal from seven varieties has been evaluated for protein content and concentration of antinutritional compounds. Flax seeds were obtained from plants grown in two experimental fields for two consecutive years (2011-2012). For all the varieties, flaxseed meal resulted in a rich source of protein (35.7% mean content). ANOVA showed significant differences between varieties and years of cultivation in the content of antinutritional compounds. The concentration of cyanogenic glycosides and phytic acid in flaxseed meal deserves attention, being as mean 0.73 and 5.3 g∙kg−1 of dry weight, respectively. These results indicate that flaxseed meal can be used as a source of protein in animal feed or as additive in the food industry, but the content of these two antinutritional factors should be lowered.