Natunola Health and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are to market their flaxseed de-hulling and processing technology worldwide following a new licensing agreement. The technology, which was developed jointly by the two organisations, allows the flaxseed kernel and hull to be separated and used in food, functional food, nutraceuticals and animal feed.
Natunola said the flaxseed kernel contains significant amounts of protein and flaxseed oil, with the latter in turn containing high levels of Omega-3 Alpha-linolenic fatty acid, an essential fatty acid that can reduce the risk of heart disease.
In addition, flax lignans and fibres are concentrated in the hull fraction, and have been used in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases, including the prevention and slowing the growth of certain cancer cells.
Greg Poushinsky, director of the Guelph Food Research Programme run by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said: "Our scientists have been working on this novel processing technology in recent years. It is an excellent example of our commitment to add value to traditional Canadian commodity crops."
Natunola Health uses in environmentally friendly and patented agricultural processing technologies, to create a range of cosmetic and skin care, functional food, nutraceutical and value-added feed products.