Project Description
The popularity of flax as a healthy dietary choice continues to increase as does the interest in the industrial uses of its seed and fibre. Flax seeds and oil are now available in supermarkets and health food stores alike. Flax offers the benefits of omega-3 oils for health that are essential for human brain functions, and for which Health Canada has recently approved a health claim regarding the ability of flax seed to lower cholesterol. Flax oil, which is rich in α-linolenic acid (ALA), has a wide range of food and non-food applications. ALA is the so-called “parent” fatty acid for the omega-3 family and is a precursor for the nutritionally beneficial very long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Flax is also a rich source of plant estrogens which are associated with reduced risks of breast, prostate and colon cancers. Flax seeds are impressive bio-factories, making a number of specialized products such as gums and cyclic peptides that can be used in industrial processes. Durable linoleum floorings, manufactured from flax oil, are used in office buildings, hospitals and schools. Flax is also used in the fabrication of a myriad of products: solvents, paints, car panels and composites to name a few.
Flax is an unusual crop in producing two distinct products – seeds and stem fibres – from which value can be extracted, making it a total utilization crop. The straw produces a strong and long lasting fibre that is praised for its quality. Linen is the most well-known product of flax fibres but these fibres can also replace fibreglass in composites. Flax straw components have also been used in the manufacture of fire logs, paper and other similar products.
The Total Utilization Flax GENomics (TUFGEN) project has, in a short period of time, developed sufficient genomic resources to position flax research among that of all other important crop species. These resources have been capitalized upon by experts to improve flax as a whole. This increased knowledge of flax genetics, genes and markers has been transferred to breeding programs which formed an integral part of the project. Varieties with improved productivity and quality characteristics of both seed and fibre are now in development to bring economic gains throughout the value chain. Capitalization of flax components is already happening through groups such as Prairie Tide Chemicals Inc., a Saskatoon-based start-up company that was created to harvest the high-value cyclic peptides found in flax seed. These cyclic peptides have applications in the synthesis of medically important drugs and for industrial purposes. The purification process used by Prairie Tide Chemicals Inc. was developed as part of the TUFGEN project. As well, the Composites Innovation Centre in Winnipeg is now using flax straw fibres in the production of biocomposite vehicle parts. The information from TUFGEN has been instrumental in the development of test methods to assess fibre quality and expand the biocomposite market.
In September 2009, our original research strategy/objectives changed somewhat with the announcement that trace amounts of GM flax (CDC Triffid) had been discovered in the European food system with subsequent negative consequences for Canadian flax exports. The discovery led to a number of initiatives to address the issues. The genomic information developed by TUFGEN was used to understand the source of the CDC Triffid contamination and to assist in its elimination from new breeder seed stocks. This issue also highlighted the importance of “low level presence” in trade discussions. The TUFGEN GE3LS team was able to estimate the cost to the Canadian flax industry at $30M but they were also advocates for regulatory changes to deal with low level presence without disrupting trade. While CDC Triffid contaminations have not been fully eliminated on farms, the measures taken by the industry have been successful in mitigating the crisis and flax, once again, is enjoying steady growth and profitability.
