Investigation of prebiotics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed in yogurt and yogurt beverages (kefir)- a new alternative dietary therapy to prevent CVD

Natunola Health Inc.位于安大略的温彻斯特是世界上第一个亚麻籽脱壳厂的所在地。Natunola是一家主要生产带壳的高欧米伽-3亚麻籽成分的公司，包括亚麻仁、粉末和船体木脂素，用于各种食品和营养应用。Natunola正在扩大其专利技术，并于2008年因其在天然食品行业销售的亚麻籽技术而获得加拿大农业食品卓越奖。这是农业和农业食品行业最负盛名的奖项之一，旨在表彰对该行业的创新贡献。亚麻籽是最丰富的生物活性物质来源之一，包括omega-3脂肪酸，粘液（可溶性纤维）和木脂素（二酚类）。研究表明，亚麻籽中的上述生物活性物质参与人体的重要生物功能，具有降低胆固醇水平，降低中风和心脏病风险以及帮助预防某些类型的癌症等关键益处[1]。最近，Natunola在开发亚麻籽酸奶和亚麻籽酸奶饮料的创新配方方面遇到了一些挑战。由于他们没有内部能力，分析工具和研究人员来解决这个问题，他们已经转向我的实验室和这个新的合作来解决这个问题。这是我第一次与Natunola Health Inc合作。我们相信，如果项目成功，这项研究将导致NSERC-CRD。

Natunola Health Inc. is home to the world's first flaxseed shelling plant in Winchester, Ontario. Natunola is a key producer of shelled, high omega-3 flaxseed ingredients, including flax kernel, powder and hull lignans for use in various food and nutraceutical applications. Natunola is expanding on its patented technologies and in 2008 was awarded the Canadian Agri- Food Award of Excellence for its flaxseed technology marketed in the natural food industry. This is one of the most prestigious awards within the agricultural and agri-food industry to recognize an innovative contribution to this sector. Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of bioactives including omega-3 fatty acid, mucilage (soluble fibre) and lignans (diphenolics). Studies have shown that the above bioactives in flaxseeds involved in important biological functions in the human body with key benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease, as well as helping to protect against certain types of cancer [1]. Recently, Natunola has encountered some challenges in making an innovative formulation to develop new lines of flaxseed-yogurt and flaxseed-yogurt beverages. As they do not have the in-house capabilities, analytical tools and research personnel to solve this problem, they have turned to my lab and this new collaboration in order to do so. This is my first time collaboration with Natunola Health Inc. and we believe this study will lead to a NSERC-CRD if the project is successful.