Linseed oil is an edible oil in demand as a dietary supplement, as a source of ¦Á-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. In parts of Europe, it is traditionally eaten with potatoes and quark. Linseed oil is a triglyceride, like other fats. Linseed oil is distinctive for its unusually large amount of ¦Á-linolenic acid, which oxidises in air.
What is food-grade flaxseed oil?
Food-grade flaxseed oil is cold-pressed, obtained without solvent extraction, in the absence of oxygen, and marketed as edible flaxseed oil. Fresh, refrigerated and unprocessed, linseed oil is used as a nutritional supplement and is a traditional European ethnic food, highly regarded for its nutty flavor.
What is linseed oil?
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil or flax oil (in its edible form), is a colourless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The oil is obtained by pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction.
How is linseed oil produced?
The nutritional values are expressed as percent (%) by mass of total fat. Stand oil is generated by heating linseed oil near 300 °C for a few days in the complete absence of air. Under these conditions, the polyunsaturated fatty esters convert to conjugated dienes, which then undergo Diels-Alder reactions, leading to crosslinking.