Variation of composition and functional properties of gum from six Canadian flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars

Flaxseed gum (FG) was prepared from six Canadian flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivars. Yield, neutral sugar content, acidic sugar content and protein content varied significantly among cultivar FG extracts. Zeta potential (-16.4 to -27.4 mV) and rheological properties of solution were cultivar dependent. Solutions prepared with CDC Glas FG had the highest viscosity (2.984 Pa.s), while CDC Sorrel produced the lowest (0.048 Pa.s). FG solutions exhibited pseudoplastic shear-thinning behaviour. Viscosity of FG solution increased with concentration, while viscosity and pseudoplasticity decreased with increased temperature. NaCl addition decreased solution viscosity while adding sucrose increased viscosity. FG solutions prepared from Flanders and CDC Sorrel had the highest and lowest emulsion activity index, respectively, while solutions of CDC Arras and CDC Bethune FG had the lowest and highest emulsion stability, respectively. Findings presented here provide information that could enable greater utilisation in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as thickeners and/or emulsifiers.