Flax, mucilage from seed

Closely related to plant gums are those mucilages discussed later which are the complex acid polysaccharides extractable from endosperms of seeds of such plants as flax, quince and lucerne (see below). The acid nature of these mucilages is due to the presence of D-galacturonic acid residues in the complex molecule. ... 

Linseed Mucilage is extracted from the seeds of the flax-plant, Limim Usitatissimum, by the agency of hot water. Alcohol causes the formation in it of white mucilaginous flocks. It is also precipitatad by protochloride of tin, and by acetate and subacetate of lead. It possesses an acid reaction, and is not changed by chlorine Or iodine. On evaporation, a Substance similar in appearance to gum-arabic is obtained, which, when digested in water, intumesces, and partially dissolves. 

LINSEED (Flax), Lint semen is harvested from Linum usitatissimum L., family Linaceae. The plant has been cultivated for centuries in Europe for textile purposes. In the epidermis of the seed coat there is 3-6% mucilage consisting of galacturonic acid, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose, mannuronic acid. Linseed is cheap and simple to use as a laxative 1 spoon of linseed is allowed to swell overnight in a cup of water, and next morning the contents of the cup are swallowed. Its value has been demonstrated in two studies of patients with constipation. 

Reducing disaccharide. Widespread as the aldobiouronic acid unit of plant polysaccharides, particularly of plant mucilages and gums. e.g. isol. from or detected in partial acid hydrolysates of Linum usitatissimum (flax), Ulmus fulya (slippery ehn), Plantago seed, Hibiscus esculentus (okra), Salvia aegytica mucilages and others. Amorph. [a]o +50.8 (H2O). [a] +96.1 (c, 0.4 in H2O). [a]g +105.5 (c, 1.06 in H2O). 

Flax Seed Mucilage This mucilage is obtained from flax seed. Flax, Linum Usitatissimum L (Linaceae), is an annual plant, which has been used for its medicinal value since historic times [77]. The mucilage can easily be extracted from the seeds by immersing in warm water. The mucilage is the secondary wall material of the... 

Mucilages—Presently, these substances are usually classified under gums, since they have many of the same properties. Formerly, mucilages were considered to be the plant polysaccharides which readily formed sticky, slimy (muci-lagenous) solutions in water. Two of the most familiar examples of these substances are those that may be extracted from flax seeds and psyllium seeds. Various products made from these seeds nave long been used as laxatives. It is noteworthy that ladies used to set their hair in curls or waves with a solution obtained by steeping flax seeds in hot water. 

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