PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND IN-VITRO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF FLAXSEED (LINUM USITATISSIMUM): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS

S. Alia Afra*, B. Bhuvaneswari, A. P. Vinodh Kumar, S. K. Jareena, S. Swetha, T. Pavan Kumar, S. K. Seema, P. Sudeepthi

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), traditionally known as linseed, is a nutrient-dense functional food widely recognized for its diverse therapeutic properties. This review highlights the botanical profile, ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical composition, and bioactivity of flaxseed and flaxseed oil, with particular emphasis on their antifungal potential. Flaxseed contains a rich array of bioactive compounds, including lignans, omega-3 fatty acids, fixed oils, alkaloids, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates, and phenolic constituents, which collectively contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and anticancer effects. The study further evaluated the pharmacognostic characteristics and performed preliminary phytochemical screening, confirming the presence of multiple secondary metabolites. Antifungal activity was assessed using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar against Aspergillus species, where both flaxseed extract (F1) and flaxseed oil (F2) demonstrated measurable zones of inhibition, with the aqueous seed extract exhibiting superior activity (4.3 cm) compared to the oil (1.8 cm). These findings affirm flaxseed’s potential as a natural antifungal agent in addition to its established health benefits. Overall, flaxseed represents a valuable source of therapeutic compounds and may serve as a promising candidate for the development of functional foods and plant-based antifungal formulations.