Linseed oil 295711 221120401 2008-06-23T03:34:38Z Halogenated 2087233 /* Spontaneous combustion */ fixed link {{Refimprove|date=December 2007}} [[Image:Olej lniany.jpg|thumb|185px|Linseed oil]] '''Linseed oil''', also known as '''flax seed oil''' or simply '''flax oil''', is a clear to yellowish [[drying oil]] derived from the dried ripe seeds of the [[flax]] plant (''[[Linum usitatissimum]]'', [[Linaceae]]). It is obtained by pressing, followed by an optional stage of [[solvent extraction]]. [[Cold-pressed]] oil obtained without solvent extraction is marketed as '''flaxseed oil'''. <!-- Flaxseed is also known as ''linseed''. Flaxseeds are known as ''San, Alsi'' in [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Gujarati]], and [[Punjabi]], ''Ali Vidai'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]]. In [[Marathi language|Marathi]], it is also known as ''Jawas'' and ''Alashi''. In [[Bengali language|Bengali]], it is known as ''Tishi'', In [[Oriya language|Oriya]] it is called ''Pesi''. In [[Kannada language|Kannada]], it's called ''Agasi''. The [[Telugu language|Telugu]] people call it ''Avise ginzalu''. Finally, in [[Kerala]], the [[Malayali]]s call it ''Cheruchana vithu''. --> == Uses == === Paint binder === Linseed oil is the most commonly used carrier in [[oil paint]]. It can also be used as a painting medium, making oil paints more fluid, transparent and glossy. It is available in varieties such as Cold Pressed, alkali refined, sun Bleached, sun thickened, and polymerised (stand oil). ===Putty=== Glazing [[putty]], consisting of a paste of [[chalk]] powder and linseed oil, is a traditional sealant for glass windows that dries hard within a few weeks and can then be overpainted. === Wood finish === When used as a [[Wood finishing|wood finish]], linseed oil does not cover the surface as varnish does, but soaks into the (visible and microscopic) pores, leaving a shiny but not glossy surface that shows off the grain. Wood treated with linseed oil is resistant to denting and scratches are easily repaired, but the wood and oil surface is not as hard as a modern [[varnish]], and it slowly absorbs moisture if allowed to stay wet. Soft wood benefits from the protection from denting but requires more applications and even more drying time than harder wood does, if the grain is to be completely filled. The oil penetrates deeply and fills the grain, because it dries slowly and shrinks little or not at all on hardening. Like other oil finishes [[Garden furniture]] treated with linseed oil may develop [[mildew]]. Linseed oil is not completely denatured, so it can encourage rather than discourage mildew growth. Oiled wood is yellowish and darkens with age. It is a traditional finish for gun stocks, but a very fine finish may require months to obtain. Several coats of linseed oil is the traditional protective coating for the raw [[willow]] wood of [[cricket]] bats, and thus has a special cultural place in cricket-playing countries. Fire departments treat the wood handles of hand tools that have metal implements (axes, plaster hooks etc.) on them with Linseed oil as it does not create [[static electricity]], unlike synthetic wood finishes like varnishes. Linseed oil is often used by [[billiards]]/[[pocket billiards|pool]] [[Cue stick|cue-makers]] for the shaft portion of the cue. === Nutritional supplement === Food-grade flaxseed oil is cold-pressed, obtained without solvent extraction, and marketed as edible flaxseed oil. Fresh, refrigerated and unprocessed, linseed oil is used as a [[nutritional supplement]]. It contains high levels of [[omega-3 fatty acid]]s, especially [[alpha-linolenic acid]], which has been suggested to be beneficial for reducing inflammation leading to atherosclerosis,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/pdf/FF_Atheroscleros_R3.pdf | work=New Flax Facts | title=Flax Reduces Inflammation Leading to Atherosclerosis | author=Diane H. Morris | publisher=Flax Council of Canada }}</ref> preventing heart disease and arrhythmia,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/pdf/FF_Arrhythmia_R.pdf | work=New Flax Facts | title=ALA and Other Omega-3 Fats May Protect Against Arrhythmia | author=Diane H. Morris | publisher=Flax Council of Canada }}</ref> and is required for normal infant development.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/pdf/FF_omega_R3.pdf | work=New Flax Facts | title=Omega-3 Fats Are Essential For Infants | author=Diane H. Morris | publisher=Flax Council of Canada }}</ref> However recent well-controlled [[placebo]] studies suggest that regular consumption of flax seed oil may not reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, or cancer any greater than placebo.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article694908.ece | publisher=Times Online | date=March 24, 2006 | author=Nigel Hawkes | accessdate=2008-01-24 | title=The benefits of fish and linseed oils as elixir of life are another health myth }} </ref> Regular flaxseed oil contains between 52 and 63 % alpha linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3). Plant breeders have developed flaxseed with high alpha linoleic acid content (70 %) and very low alpha linolenic acid content (< 3%).<ref> {{cite book | author=Thompson, Lilian U and Cunnane, Stephen C. eds | title = Flaxseed in human nutrition. 2nd ed. | publisher = AOCS Press | date = 2003 | pages = 8-11 | isbn = 1-893997-38-3 }} </ref> Although flax seeds themselves contain [[lignan]]s, a class of [[phytoestrogen]]s considered to have [[List of antioxidants in food|antioxidant]] and cancer preventing properties,<ref name="fcac">{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.php?p=g1&mp=nutrition | title=Flax - A Healthy Food | publisher=Flax Council of Canada | accessdate=2008-01-24 }} </ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/pdf/Flx_FctSht_SmartChoice_R3.pdf | title=Flax - A Smart Choice | work=New Flax Facts | author=Diane H. Morris | publisher=Flax Council of Canada }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/FlaxseedOilcs.html | title=Flaxseed Oil | publisher=University of Maryland Medical Center | date=April [[2002]] | accessdate=2006-11-12 }}</ref> the extracted linseed oil does not contain the [[lignans]] found in flax seed,<ref name="fcac" /> and therefore does not have the same antioxidant properties. In fact, flax seed oil is easily oxidized, and rapidly becomes rancid with an unpleasant [[odor]] unless [[refrigeration|refrigerated]]. Even when kept under cool conditions it has a shelf life of only a few weeks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flaxseedoil.ws/capsule.php | title=Flax Seed Oil Capsules | publisher=Flax Seed Oil | accessdate=2008-01-24 }}]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.busywomensfitness.com/flax-seed-oil.html | title=Flax Seed Oil | publisher=Busy Women's Fitness | accessdate=2008-01-24 }} </ref> Oil with an unpleasant or rancid odour should be discarded. Rancid oils contribute to the formation of free radicals and may be [[carcinogenic]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sentienttimes.com/02/aug_sept/flaxT.html | publisher=Sentient Times | date=August/September 2002 | accessdate=2008-01-24 | title=Flax Seed | author=Rebecca Wood }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.drweilselfhealing.com/show_document.asp?iDocumentID=453&iBDC=5436&iPageNumber=1 | publisher=Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing | title=Get the Facts on Flax | date=September 2006 | accessdate=2008-01-24 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326631 | title=Are Nuts a Healthy Nibble? | author=Dr. Andrew Weil | date=May 31, 2005 | accessdate=2008-01-24 }}</ref> Oxidation of flax seed oil is major commercial concern, and antioxidants may be added to prevent [[rancidification]].<ref>{{cite journal | doi= 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.03.042 | title=Studies on a natural antioxidant for stabilization of edible oil and comparison with synthetic antioxidants | journal=Journal of Food Engineering | volume=74 | issue=4 | date=June 2006 | pages=542–545 | author=D. Berab, D. Lahirib and A. Naga }} </ref> ==== Nutrient content ==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Typical Fatty Acid Content<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ienica.net/crops/linseed.pdf | title=Linseed | date=October 14, 2002 | accessdate=2008-01-24 | publisher=Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications }}</ref> ! % |- | [[Palmitic acid]] | 6.0 |- | [[Stearic acid]] | 2.5 |- |[[Arachidic acid]] |0.5 |- |[[Oleic acid]] |19.0 |- |[[Linoleic acid]] |24.1 |- |[[Linolenic acid]] |47.4 |- |Other |0.5 |} Nutrition information from the Flax Council of Canada.<ref name="fcac" /> Per 1 Tbsp (14 g) * Calories: 124 * Total [[fatty acid|fat]]: 14g * [[Omega-3]]: 8g * [[Omega-6]]: 2g * [[Omega-9]]: 3g Flax seed oil contains no significant amounts of protein, carbohydrates, or fibre. === Additional uses === * [[Fodder|Animal feeds]] * Sealants * [[Caulking]] compounds * [[Linoleum]] * [[Earthen floor]]s * [[Adobe]] * [[Textile]]s * [[Bicycle]] maintenance as a thread fixative, rust inhibitor and lubricant * [[Leather]] treatment * [[polishing|Polish]]es, varnishes and oil paints * [[Composition ornament]] for moulded decoration * Animal care products * Wood preservation * Industrial Lubricant == Boiled linseed oil == Boiled linseed oil is used as a [[paint]] binder or as a [[wood]] finish on its own. Heating the oil makes it [[polymer]]ize and oxidize, effectively making it thicker and shortening the drying time. Today most products labeled as "boiled linseed oil" are a combination of raw linseed oil, [[petroleum]]-based solvent and metallic dryers. The use of metallic dryers makes boiled linseed oil inedible. There are some products available that contain only heat-treated linseed oil, without exposure to [[oxygen]]. Heat treated linseed oil is thicker and dries very slowly. These are usually labeled as "polymerized" or "stand" oils, though some may still be labeled as boiled. == Spontaneous combustion == Rags dampened with boiled linseed oil are considered a fire hazard because they provide a large surface area for [[oxidation]] of the oil. The oxidation of linseed oil is an [[exothermic]] reaction which [[Thermal runaway|accelerates]] as the temperature of the rags increases. If rate of heat accumulation exceeds the rate of dissipation, this reaction may eventually become sufficiently hot to cause [[spontaneous combustion (combustion)|spontaneous combustion]] of the rags. Linseed oil soaked rags should never be stored in an enclosed container. Instead rags should be washed, soaked with water, or incinerated. A fire that destroyed the El Rey Theater-Golden West Saloon in February 2008 was ignited by the spontaneous combustion of linseed oil soaked rags. <ref>http://kob.com/article/stories/S363809.shtml?cat=504</ref> == See also == * [[Flax seed]] * [[National Linseed Oil Trust]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.flax-seed-oil.net Flax Seed Oil] {{Dietary supplement}} {{fatsandoils}} [[Category:Vegetable oils]] [[Category:Dietary supplements]] [[Category:Art materials]] [[Category:Painting materials]] [[Category:Woodworking]] [[Category:Oils]] [[da:Linolie]] [[de:Leinöl]] [[et:Linaõli]] [[eo:Linoleo]] [[fr:Huile de lin]] [[it:Olio di lino]] [[nl:Lijnzaadolie]] [[no:Linolje]] [[pl:Olej lniany]] [[ru:Льняное масло]] [[fi:Pellavaöljy]] [[sv:Linolja]] [[tr:Keten yağı]]