a type of fixed oil.

2. Synonyms
flax seed;Linum
 Biological source
This consists of fixed oil obtained from the dried
fully ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum linn
belonging to family Linaceae.
Geographical source
linum is found in
Russia,canada,U.S.A,argentina,Egypt,Spain,Tur
key,Afghanistan,Nepal and India.In India it is
cultivated for oil as well as fibres.Though origin
of linseed oil is uncertain,is believed as
indigenous to India.

3.  It needs about 175cm of rainfall and grows
well in black cotton soil.
 The cultivation is done by sowing seeds on
october and the crop is ready by
february/march
 Broadcasting method of cultivation is
adobted and the distance kept between two
rows is about 30cm.
 Irrigation and fertilizer(like urea and
ammonium sulphate)are given to the plant
aacording to their requirement.

4.  Plants are cut close to the ground,and they
are allowed to dry for 2-3 days and are then
thrashed to break the capsules.
 Seeds coming out are separeted by
winnowing.
 The seeds are sieved and packed in gunny
bag.

5.  Commercially linseed oil is produced by use of expellers.
 Before the seeds are subjected to the expellers seeds are
sieved to make free of earthy matter and other
materials.They are rolled into meal,then moistened and
heated by means of steam jacketed troughs filled over the
expellers.
 An average yield of oil is 30-35 %.
 The expressed oil is tanked for a long period to settle the
colouring matter and mucilage.
 The oil is then treated with alkali immediately after
filtration.as alkali treatment helps to remove free fatty
acids.
 Bleaching of the oil is done by using either charcoal or
fueller’s earth at elevated temperature.
 The refined oil so abtained,is chilled to separate wax.

6.  Colour - pale yellow
coloured clear liquid.
 Odour - characteristic.
 Taste – pleasant.
 Linseed oil gradually
thickens on exposure
to air forming a thin
transparent film.
 It is slightly soluble in
alcohol,insoluble in
water and miscible
with ether,petroleum
ether and chloroform.

7. Seeds of linseed Linseed oil in the form of capsule

8. Linseed plant Flower of a linseed

10.  specific gravity : 0.927- 0.931
 Refractive index : 1.4786-1.4815
 Iodine value : 160-200
 Acid value : not more than 4

11.  It contain the glycerides of palmitic
,stearic,oleic;linoleic and linolenic acids.
 The unsaponifiable matter of the oil contains
considerable quantities of
sterols,tocopherol,and squalene.
 Linseed oil also contain 3-omega fatty acids.

12.  Large quantities are used for paints and
varnishes
 Medicinally,for external applications like
lotions and liniments.
 Used in treatment of scabies and other skin
diseases.
 It is nutritive and emmollient too.
 Industrially,used for manufacture of
soap,greases,polishes,etc.

13. An overdose of linseed oil may cause serious
side effects like:
 weakness
 Nausea and vomiting
 Seizures and paralysis
 Severe allergic reaction(characterised by
swelling of face,excessive itching,difficulty
in breathing and heart palpitations)
 Daily linseed oil over supplementation may
act as a blood thinning agent.

14. It is adulterated with
 boiled linseed oil
 Cotton seed oil
 Sunflower oil
 Mineral oil
 Fish oil
 Mustard oil