Due to the pressures imposed by climate change, the European Union (EU) has been forced to design several initiatives (the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork) to tackle the climate crisis and ensure food security. Through these initiatives, the EU aspires to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate crisis and achieve collective prosperity for humans, animals, and the environment. The adoption or promotion of crops that would facilitate the attaining of these objectives is naturally of high importance. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a multipurpose crop with many applications in the industrial, health, and agri-food sectors. This crop is mainly grown for its fibers or its seed and has recently gained increasing attention. The literature suggests that flax can be grown in several parts of the EU, and potentially has a relatively low environmental impact. The aim of the present review is to: (i) briefly present the uses, needs, and utility of this crop and, (ii) assess its potential within the EU by taking into account the sustainability goals the EU has set via its current policies.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a serious, generalized allergic reaction typically triggered by drugs, food, and bee venom, which can be life-threatening. Seeds are one of the major food allergens and can cause anaphylaxis as well as systemic hypersensitivity reactions. Flaxseed has been widely used crop for numerous purposes, such as in alternative medicine and as a dietary supplement, hypersensitivity to it has rarely been reported.
METHODS: A 42-year-old female presenting with facial edema, dyspnea and urticaria after ingested half teaspoon of flaxseed flour 30 minutes previously.
METHODS: A skin prick test for heated flaxseed flour extract showed negative responses, but intradermal test showed positivity which suggested an Immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction.
METHODS: The patient was instructed to avoid future ingestion of flaxseed.
RESULTS: The patient had no recurrence of symptoms at 1-year follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of flaxseed-induced anaphylaxis in Korea, confirmed by an intradermal skin test.

Heterostyly is a sex polymorphism that has challenged evolutionary biologists ever since Darwin. One of the lineages where heterostyly and related stylar conditions appear more frequently is Linum (Linaceae). This group is particularly suitable for testing competing hypotheses about ancestral and transitional stages on the evolutionary building up of heterostyly. We generated a phylogeny of Linum based on extensive sampling and plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, and used it to trace the evolution of character states of style polymorphism. We also revised available data on pollination, breeding systems, and polyploidy to analyse their associations. Our results supported former phylogenetic hypotheses: the paraphyly of Linum and the non-monophyly of current taxonomic sections. Heterostyly was common in the genus, but appeared concentrated in the Mediterranean Basin and the South African Cape. Ancestral character state reconstruction failed to determine a unique state as the most probable condition for style polymorphism in the genus. In contrast, approach herkogamy was resolved as ancestral state in some clades, giving support to recent hypotheses. Some traits putatively related to heterostyly, such as life history and polyploidy, did show marginal or non-significant phylogenetic correlation, respectively. Although pollinator data are limited, we suggest that beeflies are associated with specific cases of heterostyly. The consistent association between style polymorphism and heteromorphic incompatibility points to ecological factors as drivers of the multiple evolution of style polymorphism in Linum. Albeit based on limited evidence, we hypothesised that specialised pollinators and lack of mating opportunities drive evolution of style polymorphism and loss of the polymorphism, respectively.

We recently experienced a 29-year-old female with anaphylaxis caused by linseed included in homemade bread. This is the first report of linseed-induced allergy in Japan. She obtained the linseed-containing ingredients of bread by mail order. We performed skin-prick tests and basophil degranulation tests using extracts of the ingredients and commercially available linseeds; both tests showed positive results for linseed. The patient\'s serum was also positive for linseed-specific IgE. Since linseeds are included in various kinds of foods and exposure to them is increasing, linseeds may need to be recognized as a potential trigger of immediate-type allergy in Japan.

This study evaluated the effect of water activity on the long-term storage stability of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in a dry food matrix. Viability of LGG was further studied in a crushed flaxseed matrix - a new possible product matrix to deliver probiotics - as well as in reference matrices as maltodextrin. Three different water activities (a(w)=0.11, 0.22 and 0.43) were used, and preparations were stored at room temperature for up to 14months. The viability of LGG was less dependent on the matrix used, but strongly dependent on the water activity. Viability in flaxseed was lost rapidly with a(w) 0.43: with a(w) 0.22 the reduction was 2.4 log(10) units and with a(w) 0.11 the reduction of viability was only 0.29 log(10) units during the entire storage time. Taken together, regulating water activity to a low value may offer possibilities for extending the shelf life of dry probiotic products.

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