Developing technologies to enrich common food products with omega-3 fatty acids is important. Linseed also known as flaxseed; the richest plant source of alpha linolenic acid is being used to enrich various food items. The post-harvest linseed value addition technologies are also making linseed agriculture lucrative to the farmers.

Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids; Alpha linolenic acid and Linoleic acid respectively are essential fatty acids. Human body can not synthesize these two fatty acids. Therefore dietary supply of these fatty acids in right proportion is essential. Unfortunately, today, consumption of omega-6 fatty acid rich food is very high with very little intake of omega-3 fatty acids. This has resulted in imbalance of these fatty acids leading to inflammatory conditions. Inflammation is the major factor involved in the development of many non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, psychiatric disorders etc.

Omega-6 fatty acids and mediators derived from them are pro-inflammatory in nature while Omega-3 fatty acids and mediators derived from them are anti-inflammatory. Therefore, improving intake of omega-3 fatty acids is necessary. Developing technologies to enrich common food products with omega-3 fatty acids is important. Linseed also known as flaxseed; the richest plant source of alpha linolenic acid is being used to enrich various food items. The post-harvest linseed value addition technologies are also making linseed agriculture lucrative to the farmers.