The data from the measurements of phenolics correlate fairly
well with oil stability. This is in contrast to the terpenoid compounds
content, in which case no such correlation has been found,
but there is no doubt that these compounds affect the total antioxidant
capacity of the oil as well. Experiments performed on both
groups of compounds (using standard substances) and our results
obtained on transgenic plants with overproduction or reduction of
phenylopropanoid or terpenoid compound allow us to claim that
this first group has higher influence on oil stability.
The general conclusion from this study is that water-soluble
antioxidants are more suitable for fatty acid protection against
oxidation rather than lipid-soluble ones, and the most effective
of them are phenolic acids. Furthermore, the engineering of the
phenylpropanoid pathway in flax is beneficial for flax seed oil stability,
and the extent of lipid protection depends on the antioxidant
concentrations.
In addition to preventing rancidity, both types of antioxidants
(phenylpropanoids and terpenoids) could increase the commercial
value of food products based on flax oil and might be beneficial
for human health. When consumed together with PUFA, they can
reduce the risk of various diseases (Heber, 2007).
Recently, the positive effects of feeding with supplements rich
in omega-3 fatty acids on beef cows reproduction were determined
in one of the studies. In another study the dietary treatments had
no effect on pregnancy rates, butthe levels of plasma prostaglandin
F and serum progesterone were affected (Richardson et al., 2013;
Scholljegerdes et al., 2014). The prostaglandins are a group of
hormone-like lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from
fatty acids and have a variety of strong physiological effects, such as
regulating the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue.
Progesterone, also known as the hormone of pregnancy, is a steroid
hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy (supports
gestation) and embryogenesis in humans and other species.