Changes in oxidative stability and protein profile of flaxseeds resulting from thermal pre-treatment.

BACKGROUND: The oxidative stability of oilseeds is crucial for their technological/nutritional quality and shelf life. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal pre-treatment (steaming and roasting under various time/temperature conditions) on flaxseed oil and protein stability. The monitoring of changes in oil oxidation in situ and protein profiles (SDS-PAGE) and analysis of the antiradical activity of ethanolic and aqueous fractions were included in the study.

RESULTS: Flaxseed stability during storage was considerably affected by thermal pre-treatment conditions. Dynamics of oil oxidation was accelerated at 160 °C and 180 °C but slowed at 200 °C. Influence of pre-treatment conditions on the antiradical activity of the aqueous fraction was clearly observed and no effect concerning the ethanolic fraction was found. The most significant changes in protein profile of 200 °C-roasted flaxseed were found with the observed disappearance of 19 kDa protein. A treatment-dependent decrease in the 13 kDa protein was also detected. Based on the aqueous extract protein profiles, roasting conditions were found to be crucial for protein extractability.

CONCLUSIONS: The study has broadened knowledge of the consequences of flaxseed thermal treatment. The deterioration of flaxseed oil oxidative stability is shown. The changes of 19 and 13 kDa proteins suggest their sensitivity to thermally induced aggregation and/or cross-link. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.