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Development of an NMR metabolomics-based tool for selection of flaxseed varieties

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Abstract

Flaxseed is an important source of lignans and ω-3 fatty acids, compounds which present interest in human health with many applications in food industry. It is therefore necessary to precisely know the metabolite content in flaxseed. A metabolomic approach using NMR was developed to achieve this goal. Due to particular characteristics of flaxseed (high level in oil, high amount in mucilage, and integration of the phenolics into a macromolecule), the extraction procedure had first to be optimized using an experimental design, based on the extraction time, in a water bath or an ultrasound bath, alkaline treatment, defatting, and centrifugation temperature. This methodology was then applied to several flaxseed varieties classified in function of their content in ω-3 fatty acid. The main differences in semi-polar metabolites between these varieties concern compounds of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Hydroxycinnamic acid glucoside and lignan content increase when ω-3 fatty acid content decrease whereas flavonoid content increase in the same way of ω-3 fatty acids.

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Acknowledgments

A. Ramsay wishes to thank the Conseil Régional de Picardie for a PhD grant. J. Fang acknowledges the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for a PhD scholarship. The authors are grateful for financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). F. Mesnard wishes to acknowledge COST action FA 1006.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BIOPI EA3900, University of Picardie Jules Verne, 1 rue des Louvels, 80000, Amiens, France

    Aina Ramsay, Ophélie Fliniaux, Roland Molinie, Marc-André Fliniaux & François Mesnard

  2. GEC FRE3580 CNRS, University of Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu, 80000, Amiens, France

    Aina Ramsay & Albrecht Roscher

  3. LG FRE3517 CNRS, University of Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu, 80000, Amiens, France

    Aina Ramsay, Eric Grand & José Kovensky

  4. Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Str 8, Beutenberg Campus, 07745, Jena, Germany

    Jingjing Fang & Bernd Schneider

  5. Laboulet Semences S.A, BP5, 80270, Airaines, France

    Xavier Guillot

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  1. Aina Ramsay
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  2. Ophélie Fliniaux
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  11. François Mesnard
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Correspondence to François Mesnard.

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Ramsay, A., Fliniaux, O., Fang, J. et al. Development of an NMR metabolomics-based tool for selection of flaxseed varieties. Metabolomics 10, 1258–1267 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-014-0664-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11306-014-0664-8

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