The document discusses omega-3 fatty acids, their types, sources, and significance. It focuses on omega-3 in linseed (flaxseed), which contains high levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Breeding programs aim to develop linseed varieties with even higher omega-3 content. Genetic engineering has produced linseed with additional long-chain omega-3s. High omega-3 intake provides many health benefits such as reducing the risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and mental disorders.
3. Introduction
Omega-3 and omega-6 are types of essential fatty acids
Both are polyunsaturated fatty acids that differ from each
other in their chemical structure
Two critical omega-3 fatty acids, (eicosapentaenoic acid,
called EPA and docosahexaenoic or DHA)
Flaxseeds contain a precursor omega-3
Highest in Short Chain Fatty Acids ALA needs to be
converted into the long chain fatty acids EPA and DHA to
be of any use for your body.
EPA and DHA are the building blocks for hormones that
control immune function, blood clotting, and cell growth as
well as components of cell membranes.
4. Omega-3 FA’s are polyunsaturated, meaning they contain more
than one double bond
They are called omega-3 because the first double bond counting
from the methyl end of the fatty acid is located at the third
carbon atom
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Types
Alpha – linolenic
acid (ALA)
Eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA)
Docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA)
Available in Linseed
Human consumption
6. Alpha-linolenic Acid
Humans can synthesize other omega-3 fatty
acids from ALA:
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): 20:5n-3
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): 22:6n-3
These two are usually referred to as marine-
derived omega-3 fatty acids because they are
abundant in certain species of fish
Whereas, ALA is considered a plant-derived
omega-3 fatty acid
7. hydrogen.
hydrogen 1.)
:
oil.
Chemical and Physical
Structure of Fatty Acids
One of the simplest fats is butyric acid—found in butter. All fats
have a COOH acid at the beginning of the chain, also known as the
"alpha" end. The opposite end is called the omega (following the
Greek alphabet, which begins with alpha and ends with omega).
17. Linseed oil possesses a very healthy fatty acid profile,
particularly, Omega-3 (Alpha Linolenic Acid), richest source
only in linseed (58%). The botanical name of flax is Linum
usitatissimum of the family Linaceae. Flax is a versatile,
blue-flowered crop.
19. Breeding objective in linseed
Development of high yielding varieties with high oil
content for rainfed conditions.
Development of short duration varieties (90-100 days).
Development of Linseed varieties resistance to bud
fly, wilt and rust.
Value addition and product diversification for
pharmaceutical and neutraceuticals purpose.
20. Genetic improvement of flax for oil
and agronomic traits
Generating Comprehensive Genomics resource base.
Molecular marker development and exploitation.
Exploring fatty acid synthesis and other nutritional
aspects of flax.
Molecular genetics of genes associated with important
traits.
Application of genomic and molecular tools in flax
improvement.
21. Major Breeding Program
Efficiencies of some vitamins in improving yield and quality of
flax plant
Gene expression analysis of flax seed development
Genetic modification of linseed produces healthier Omega-3
and omega-6 fatty acid.
The application of chemical mutagenesis and Biotechnology to
the modification of Linseed.
Comparative analysis of regenerative ability in Linseed and fiber
flax cultivars
functional expression of a humanized gene for an omega-3 fatty
acid desaturation from scarlet flax in transfected bovine
adipocytes and bovine embroyos cloned from the cells.
22. Functional expression of a humanized gene for an
omega-3 fatty acid desaturase from scarlet flax in
transfected bovine adipocytes and bovine embryos
cloned from the cells.
Introduced a plant fatty acid desaturation3 (FAD3) gene
into mammalian cells
Produced bovine cloned embryos from the hFAD3 cells by
somatic cell nuclear transfer
hFAD3 transcripts were detected in all of the blastocysts
These results demonstrate the functional expression of a
plant hFAD3 in mammalian adipocytes, and normal
development of cloned embryos carrying the hFAD3 gene.
23. Genetic modification of linseed produces
healthier Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid.
The University of Hamburg (Germany) and colleagues succeeded
in producing genetically modified linseed plants that accumulate
significant levels of very long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids
(PUFA) in seed.
This research is an excellent example of how genetic engineering
of agronomically important species can provide real benefits to
human health and nutrition and the environment.
First, protein sequences for fatty acyl desaturases and elongases
were analyzed from a variety of organisms that produce very long-
chain PUFA, including a fungus, alga, moss, nematode and
another plant (Borago officinalis). DNA coding sequences for
these genes were then introduced into linseed
32. Significance of Omega-3
High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Heart Disease
Stroke
Diabetes
Cancer
Osteoporosis
33. High Blood Pressure
Studies say that diets rich
in omega-3 fatty acids
lower blood pressure
significantly.
34. Heart Disease
EPA and DHA help reduce
risk factors for heart disease.
These substances can help
prevent and treat
atherosclerosis by inhibiting
the development of plaque
and blood clots, each of
which tends to clog arteries.
35. Stroke
Omega-3 fatty acids prevents
stroke by plaque buildup and
blood clots in the arteries
that lead to the brain.
Eating at least 2 servings of
fish per week can reduce the
risk of stroke by at least 50%.
36. Diabetes
People with diabetes
tend to have high
triglyceride and low HDL
levels.
By eating fish or taking
supplements with
Omega-3 fatty acids, it
will lower triglycerides
and raise HDL levels.
37. Some more uses:
Mental Disorders
Weight Loss
Eating Disorders
Macular Degeneration
Skin Disorders
Arthritis