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This study demonstrates a novel, single‐step, and low‐energy ultrasonic approach to fabricate lightweight, high‐performance flax fiber‐reinforced composites enhanced by nanotitanium dioxide coating and fly ash hollow cenospheres. This innovative approach leads to a remarkable 23% weight reduction compared with conventional composites, making it ideal for the applications demanding both lightweight and superior mechanical properties. Through dynamic mechanical testing, it is found that the composites' viscoelastic behavior, including storage modulus and damping factor, is significantly influenced by both frequency and temperature. By applying time–temperature superposition principles, the composite's dynamic properties are comprehensively characterized across a wider frequency range. A modified fractional calculus Huet–Sayegh model accurately captures the observed viscoelastic behavior. The combined effect of nanotitanium dioxide coating, which strengthens the fiber–matrix interface, and the inclusion of rigid fly ash hollow cenospheres results in significant improvements in both storage modulus (10% increase at room temperature) and peak loss factor (80% increase) compared with uncoated flax fiber‐reinforced composites. The nanocoating and cenospheres' rigid shells contribute to enhanced stiffness, while the cenospheres' hollow structure provides efficient energy dissipation mechanisms, leading to an improved damping performance. This ultrasonic approach offers a promising and sustainable method for synthesizing natural fiber nanocomposites with superior viscoelastic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As an essential part of plant cell walls, lignin provides mechanical support for plant growth, enhances water transport, and helps to defend against pathogens. As the most abundant natural aromatic-based renewable resource on earth, its biosynthesis has always been a research focus, and it is still currently under study. Methods: In this study, the p-coumaryl alcohol analog (HALK) and the coniferyl alcohol analog (GALK) containing an alkyne group at the ortho position were synthesized and applied to lignification in vivo and in vitro. The incorporation of these novel lignin monomers was observed via fluorescence imaging. Results and Discussion: It was found that the two monolignol analogs could be incorporated in dehydrogenated polymers (DHPs) in vitro and in flax cell walls in vivo. The results showed that as the cultivation time and precursor concentration varied, the deposition of H and G-type lignin exhibited differences in deposition mode. At the subcellular scale, the deposited lignin first appears in the cell corner and the middle lamella, and then gradually appears on the cell walls. Furthermore, lignin was also found in bast fiber. It was demonstrated that these new molecules could provide high-resolution localization of lignin during polymerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although by the 1830s–40s it is unlikely that any of the 150 fields named 'Hempland' or similar in the tithe surveys for the counties of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland, were actually then growing hemp, nevertheless these field-names are a useful source for a study of its cultivation in the region. This paper shows that although such cultivation is found back to the early medieval period, it expanded in the early modern period, moving in some places beyond cultivation for consumption on the farm where it was grown, to commercial growth for the rope-making and sail-cloth industries, before losing out in the eighteenth century to imports from the Baltic. The distribution of 'Hemp...' field-names, and information from other sources, reveals that cultivation was restricted to the lowlands of the region, notably in proximity to the mosslands, and almost entirely avoiding the Lake District and hilly regions to the east. Where grown for household use, the fields were generally small, often half an acre or less, and were often directly attached to the homestead: while documentary evidence shows it was mainly female household members who were responsible for the cultivation and processing of the hemp, and for turning it into cloth and cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the flax sheet which is prepared for wet-laying technique, then investigated the effect of the flax sheet preparation process on the tensile strength of the flax/polypropylene composites. Using hand-laying and hot-pressing methods to prepare composite materials. Then tested tensile strength of composites under different revolutions of fiber disintegration machine, flax content and flax length. The results shown that when the number of revolutions is 25,989 r, the flax content is 7.88 g, and the flax length is 4 mm, the highest tensile strength is 42.0376 MPa, which is 78.88 % stronger than that of pure polypropylene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of graphene particles, which were used as a filler for hybrid flax fiber and aerial root banyan fiber (ARBF)–reinforced epoxy composites at different sampling compositions (M4–M7), on the physical and mechanical characteristics of the epoxy composites, such as tensile, flexural, Shore D hardness, water absorption activities, and morphology were studied. The accumulation of graphene particles improved the tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness but significantly decreased the percentage of water absorption. The ideal ratio of fibers and graphene particles for improved epoxy hybrid epoxy composites is also discussed in this study. The presence of graphene in flax/Banyan/epoxy composites acts as a flame retardant, and the combustibility decreases as the graphene level rises. The best mechanical property value was obtained with 2% graphene particles in the 19% ARBF, 19% flax fiber with 60% (M4 constituent) epoxy-reinforced hybrid composites. The results showed that a hybrid composition of 2% graphene content plays an important role and improves the strength of the hybrid composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDC Esme, a high-yielding, late-maturing oilseed flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivar, was registered in 2023 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. CDC Esme had a superior yield (106%) compared to the check variety, CDC Glas, in all soil zones of the Northern Prairies. The yield of CDC Esme was 106%, 105%, and 105% of CDC Glas, in the long-season Black, Brown, and short-season Black and Grey soil zones of Western Canada, respectively. CDC Esme has larger seeds (thousand seed weight) than that of check cultivar, CDC Glas, with improved quality based on the iodine value of 192 and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content of 57.1%. This cultivar is immune to the North American rust (race 371) caused by Melampsora lini and moderately resistant to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire and mechanical performances of a bio‐based flax/furan resin composite are evaluated and, in order to assess their commercial potential, compared with those of conventional carbon/glass fiber‐reinforced composites. Fire retardant (FR) variants of flax/furan were obtained by adding FRs to the resin and using (i) flax or (ii) FR‐treated flax fabrics. With (i), the fire hazard of the composite could be reduced to minimum, without detrimental effect on the mechanical properties. However, use of FR‐flax fabric (ii) led to impairment of mechanical properties. This indicated that for optimized fire and mechanical properties, use of a FR in the resin matrix suffices; there is no advantage in using a FR‐treated flax fabric. Natural aging of the samples for 10 years followed by water aging indicated that water absorption in flax/furan composites was much higher than in comparable carbon/epoxy composites. While there was evidence of released acidic components such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, and so forth, in flax/furan composites, mainly from oxidative degradation of furan resin, there was no evidence of leaching of FR additives from the matrix. However, FR treatment of flax fabric affected the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion, leading to considerable water absorption during aging and disintegration of the reinforcement. Highlights: Furan resins are naturally fire retardant, burn only under forced combustion.FR flax/furan composites obtained by adding FRs to the resin or the flax fabric.FR treatment of the flax impairs mechanical properties and water tolerance.FRs in the resin neither affect mechanical properties nor leach out in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax and carbon fibers reinforced polymer composites have high potentials to be used as sustainable building materials. To understand the impact resistance of these fiber composites, the present article studied the impact resistance of unidirectional flax fiber and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (FFRP and CFRP) composite plates. The impact response, damage resistance, and impact tolerance were investigated using drop hammer impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests. The internal damage of FFRP and CFRP due to impact loads was studied using acoustic emission technology. In addition, the development process of impact damage was analyzed. CFRP plates show a higher specific energy absorption rate than that of FFRP, because of the more serious internal damage and brittle fracture tendencies. Matrix cracking was the primary damage in FFRP and CFRP under impact load. Compared with CFRP, FFRP possesses a higher CAI due to less damage. Further expansion of the matrix crack caused by the original impact occurs in the impacted fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) under a compressive load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desire for lightweight, carbon-negative materials has been increasing in recent years, particularly as the transportation sector reduces its global carbon footprint. Natural fibers, such as flax fiber and their composites, offer a compelling combination of properties including low density, high specific strength, and carbon negativity. However, because of the low modulus and high variability in performance, natural fibers can't compete with glass fibers as structural reinforcements in polymer composites. In this study, flax technical fibers were treated in supercritical CO2 (scCO2), and the effects of this treatment on the morphology and properties of flax fibers are reported. Treatment in scCO2 successfully resulted in higher fiber modulus and strength by 33% and 40%, respectively. Fiber porosity was reduced by 50% and morphological changes to the fibers were observed. Specifically, fiber lumen collapsed during treatment and micro/mesoporosity was reduced by 27%. Treated flax fibers were used to create 30 vol% unidirectional flax-epoxy composites. ScCO2 treatment raised composite modulus and strength by 33% and 25%, respectively. Because of the dependence between technical fiber size and mechanical properties, the relationship between fiber modulus and fiber size were created and applied to the rule-of-mixtures. This relationship were found to be viable representations of the fiber performance within each composite. Overall, the treatment developed in this study has the potential to significantly improve natural fiber properties, enabling their consideration for use in lightweight, semi-structural composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing prevalence of phytoplasma associated symptoms on linseed or flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) germplasm at Indian Council of Agricultural Research- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) fields was noticed during the 2019–22 growing seasons. The characteristic phytoplasma symptoms of phyllody, stem fasciation, stunting, along with floral and capsule malformations were observed in 41 linseed accessions grown at experimental fields of ICAR-NBPGR, Delhi. During 3 years, the presence of phytoplasma in symptomatic linseed accessions was confirmed by nested-PCR assays utilizing 16S rRNA and secA gene-specific primers. The 16S rRNA and secA gene sequences of linseed phytoplasma strains from the representative symptomatic 41 linseed accessions exhibited 100% sequence identity among themselves and 99.93% and 99.82% sequence homology with reference strain, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum' (GenBank Accession: Y10097). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and secA gene sequences clustered the linseed isolates with the peanut witches' broom group belonging to 'Ca. P. australasiaticum' strains. The virtual RFLP analysis of 16S rRNA F2nR2 fragment (~1.2 kb) of linseed phytoplasma strains further classified it into 16Sr group II, subgroup D. Our results suggested confirmation of the association of 'Ca. P. australasiaticum' strain (16SrII-D) in the linseed germplasm accessions from North India, which is the first report from India. The phytoplasma infection also reduced the growth and yield parameters of two linseed accessions (IC0498748 and EC0718851). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phosphorus nutrition and hormone concentration both affect crop yield formation. Ascertaining the interaction of phosphorus and GA3 has a synergistic effect on the grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency of oilseed flax in dryland. It is extremely important for improving grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 at the Dingxi Oil Crops Test Station to investigated the effects of phosphorus, gibberellin (GA3), and their interaction on the grain yield and phosphorus-utilization efficiency of oilseed flax plants. Phosphorus fertilizerwas applied at three levels (0, 67.5, 135 kg P2O5·ha-1) and GA3 was also sprayed at three concentrations (0, 15, and 30 mg·L-1). Results: The results showed that application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 reduced leaves acid phosphatase (ACPase) activity, but increased phosphorus accumulation throughout the growth period, the 1000-kernel weight (TKW), and the number of grains per capsule. Spraying GA3 significantly increased the leaves ACPase activity, phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain, phosphorus-utilization efficiency, the number of capsules per plant, and TKW. The phosphorus accumulation at the anthesis, kernel, and maturity stages under the treatment of fertilizing 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 and spraying 30 mg·L-1 GA3 were increased by 56.06%, 73.51%, and 62.17%, respectively, compared with the control (no phosphorus, no GA3). And the phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain also increased. 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 and 135 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 15 mg·L-1 GA3 both significantly increased grain yield of oilseed flax, reaching 1696 kg·ha-1 and 1716 kg·ha-1 across two years, respectively. And there was no significant difference between them. However, the former treatment significant increased the apparent utilization rate, agronomic utilization rate, and partial productivity of phosphorus. The interaction between phosphorus and GA3 was significant for grain yield. Conclusion: Therefore, the application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 in combination with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 is an effective fertilization approach for enhancing oilseed flax growth and grain yield in the experiment region and other similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects have been evaluated as an alternative and sustainable source of protein because of their nutritive and functional properties for humans and domestic animals. The objective of this study was to assess the use of chemometric [principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS)] combined with Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) profiles to evaluate the addition of cricket powder (CKP) to chickpea (CPF) and flaxseed (FxF) flours. The results of this study showed that the addition of CKP powder to both CPF and FxF flours affects the pasting properties of the samples; in particular, a reduction in the peak (PV) and final viscosity (FV) was observed. The use of chemometric data techniques such as PCA and PLS regression allowed for a better interpretation of the RVA profiles. Both PCA and PLS regression allowed to qualitative and quantitatively identify the addition level of CKP powder to CPF and FxF flour samples. Differences in the PLS loadings associated with the RVA profile due to the addition of cricket powder were observed. The development of these methodologies will provide researchers and the food industry with better tools to both improve and monitor the quality of ingredients with functional properties as well as to further understand the use of insects as alternative sources of protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The present study investigates the quasi‐static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composite laminates reinforced by flax hybridized with E‐glass and/or carbon fabrics. Epoxy resin was used as the polymeric matrix. Three different hybrid composite laminates were prepared: Glass/flax (HGF), carbon/flax (HCF), and carbon/glass/flax (HCGF) composite laminates. Non‐hybrid flax composite laminate (NHF) was prepared as a reference material. The quasi‐static mechanical properties were investigated by performing tensile and flexural tests. The dynamic mechanical behavior was evaluated using the split Hopkinson pressure bar test and dynamic mechanical analysis technique. The results showed that hybridizing flax with glass and/or carbon fibers significantly enhanced both the quasi‐static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composite system. Due to hybridization, the tensile strength increased from 50.5 MPa for NHF to 71.5, 162, and 107 MPa for HGF, HCF, and HCGF, respectively. Similarly, the flexural strength increased from 33.4 MPa for NHF to 104, 149, and 112 MPa for HGF, HCF, and HCGF, respectively. All the composite laminates showed a strain rate‐dependent behavior when tested using the SHPB test. Moreover, the dynamic compressive strength was substantially improved due to hybridization. DMA results showed that hybridization significantly improved the storage modulus and loss modulus of hybrid composites. Polymer composites reinforced with flax fabric hybridized with glass and/or carbon fabrics were fabricated. The fabricated hybrid composites were subjected to quasi‐static mechanical tests (tensile and flexural) and dynamic mechanical tests (DMA and SHPB). The hybridization approach was effective in improving the static and dynamic mechanical properties of hybrid composites. The static and dynamic behavior of hybrid composites can be tailored by controlling the type of synthetic fibers hybridized with natural ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linseed, also known as flax is an important oilseed crop with many potential uses in paint, textile, food and pharmaceutical industries. Susceptibility to bud fly (Dasyneura lini Barnes) infestation is a serious biotic concern leading to severe yield penalty in linseed. Protease inhibitors (PIs) are potential candidates that activate during the insect-pest attack and modulate the resistance. In the present study, we explored the PI candidates in the linseed genome and a total of 100 LuPI genes were identified and grouped into five distinct subgroups. The analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that almost all LuPI promoters contain several regulatory elementary related to growth and development, hormonal regulation and stress responses. Across the subfamilies of PIs, the specific domains are consistently found conserved in all protein sequences. The tissue-specific in-silico expression pattern via RNA-seq revealed that all the genes were regulated during different stress. The expression through qRT-PCR of 15 genes revealed the significant up-regulation of LuPI-24, LuPI-40, LuPI-49, LuPI-53, and LuPI-63 upon bud fly infestation in resistant genotype EC0099001 and resistant check variety Neela. This study establishes a foundation resource for comprehending the structural, functional, and evolutionary dimensions of protease inhibitors in linseed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is a challenge in searching for more sustainable alternatives to decrease the environmental impact of composite materials. In this work, we fabricate new composites based on a biobased-content epoxy system, lignin, and flax fiber; considering these materials could be promising due to their high renewable content of around 40%. In addition, another key requirement for composites, besides being sustainable, is that they present improved properties such as UV resistance. Therefore, throughout this work, priority was given to improving UV resistance in addition to taking into account sustainability. In order to carry out a complete characterization of the materials developed, the mechanical properties, brightness, and thermal, rheological, and fire behavior of these kinds of materials were analyzed by using vacuum-assisted resin infusion processes. By way of conclusion, it should be noted that the manufactured composite with the optimized formulation showed improved UV resistance using lignin and that it could be applied on internal and external walls according to the railway fire regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Flax lignan has attracted much attention because of its potential bioactivities. However, the bioavailability of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the main lignan in flaxseed, depends on the bioconversion by the colon bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with β‐glucosidase activity has found wide application in preparing bioactive aglycone. RESULTS: LAB strains with good β‐glucosidase activity were isolated from fermented tofu. Their bioconversion of flax lignan extract was investigated by resting cell catalysis and microbial fermentation, and the metabolism of SDG by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C5 following fermentation was characterized by widely targeted metabolomics. Five L. plantarum strains producing β‐glucosidase with broad substrate specificity were isolated and identified, and they all can transform SDG into secoisolariciresinol (SECO). L. plantarum C5 resting cell reached a maximum SDG conversion of 49.19 ± 3.75%, and SECO generation of 21.49 ± 1.32% (0.215 ± 0.013 mm) at an SDG substrate concentration of 1 mM and 0.477 ± 0.003 mm SECO was produced at 4 mm within 24 h. Although sixteen flax lignan metabolites were identified following the fermentation of SDG extract by L. plantarum C5, among them, four were produced following the fermentation: SECO, demethyl‐SECO, demethyl‐dehydroxy‐SECO and isolariciresinol. Moreover, seven lignans increased significantly. CONCLUSION: Fermentation significantly increased the profile and level of flax lignan metabolites, and the resting cell catalysis benefits from higher bioconversion efficiency and more straightforward product separation. Resting cell catalysis and microbial fermentation of flax lignan extract by the isolated β‐glucosidase production L. plantarum could be potentially applied in preparing flax lignan ingredients and fermented flaxseed. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnO-NPs were synthesized chemically and using the green synthesis technique by flaxseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.), which uses water to extract flaxseeds in a biologically convenient, secure and affordable manner, under different conditions of shape of flaxseed, grinded and full seeds, different concentrations of the precursor, zinc nitrate hexahydrate, (7.43, 14.87 and 22.31 g) each per 50 mL of distilled water to obtain (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mol/L) concentrations and different pH 8, 10, 12 and 13 and studying its characterizations using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to obtain the best ZnO-NPs size and morphological properties for biomedical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRC) are in great demand for sound absorption applications in various industries, such as automotive, aircraft, and building construction applications compared to synthetic composite materials. Though conventional sound-absorbing materials are used for passive control, natural fibers are more effective and economical for sound-absorption treatments. This paper presents the efforts made in the preparation of various NFRC made of flax, hemp, and kenaf fibers with epoxy as a matrix material. Also, the acoustic properties of the natural fiber-reinforced composites are studied by measuring the sound absorption coefficient (SAC). The experiments were conducted to measure the SAC of composite samples of different thicknesses by using the impedance tube method with the aid of Active Format Description 1001 (AFD 1001) software at frequencies ranging from about 200 to 1600 Hz. Moreover, the combined effects of various natural fiber composites were studied by conducting detailed experimentation. The experimental results show that the flax fiber composite possesses a higher SAC ranging from about 0.778 to 0.892 varying the test specimen thickness from 20 to 40 mm. From the results, the flax composite has a high sound absorption coefficient compared to hemp and kenaf composites. The optimization of Acoustic properties was carried out by using an Analysis of Variance and the influence of factors such as type of composite material and composite thickness on SAC was calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of two-year research on the dependence of a complex of quantitative and qualitative indicators of oil flax seed yield of Southern Night and Vodohray varieties, as well as seed sowing conditions on the methods and regimes of combine harvesting of the crop. The direct single-phase method of combine harvesting did not lag behind the control in terms of seed productivity per plant or M1000 indicator. Harvesting according to the two-phase scheme had a significant negative impact on the formation of these indicators: the M1000 indicator decreased by 0.5 g or 7.1% compared to the control, and the seed mass per plant decreased by 0.06 g or 15.4%. Pre-harvest desiccation in the single-phase method also negatively affected the formation of these indicators: when using Reglone Super, the M1000 indicator decreased by 0.7 g, Roundup by 1.0 g compared to the control; seed productivity per plant decreased by 0.07 and 0.1 g, respectively. The oil flax yield with direct single-phase harvesting was lower than the control by 0.03 t/ha or 2.1% (Southern Night variety) and by 0.04 t/ha or 3.0% (Vodohray variety). Additional desiccation of crops significantly reduced seed yield. When using Reglone Super desiccant, this reduction was 0.06-0.09 t/ha (4.5-6.4%), Roundup - 0.10-0.13 t/ha (7.5-9.2%). The two-phase harvesting method yielded lower seed yield compared to the control by 0.10 t/ha (7.1%) when growing the Southern Night variety and by 0.08 t/ha (6.0%) when growing the Vodohray variety. The oil content of seeds of both flax varieties did not differ from the control with single-phase harvesting. Desiccation of crops during single-phase harvesting led to a significant decrease in crude fat content in seeds - by 0.7-0.9% (Southern Night variety) and 0.5-0.9% (Vodohray variety). Two-phase harvesting when growing the Southern Night variety contributed to a decrease in seed oil content by 0.5%, while it did not affect this quality indicator when growing the Vodohray variety. Laboratory germination similarity and energy reached maximum values in the control and in variants of direct singlephase harvesting without desiccation of crops - 96.2 and 88.5-88.7%, respectively. Other studied methods and regimes of harvesting worsened the sowing conditions of oil flax seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study unveils a sustainable, easily recyclable biocomposite, leveraging the dynamic nature of covalently adaptive bonds in a vitrimer matrix. The fabrication involved a fatty acid-derived vitrimer as the polymer matrix and multi-layered, nonwoven flax mat as reinforcing scaffold. The incorporation of these fibers significantly improved the mechanical performance of the vitrimer matrix uniformly. The ester-based covalently adaptive network plays a crucial role in enabling exceptional fiber-matrix bonding, as well as recyclability. The vitrimer matrix dissolves in ethylene glycol through transesterification, facilitating complete material recovery and biocomposite recycling without compromising the original properties of the matrix and reinforcing fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent pressure on scientists and industries to use renewable resources, as well as the need to produce environmentally friendly materials, has led researchers and manufacturers to use natural fibres as possible reinforcements for their composites. Although they seem to be "ideal" due to their low cost, light weight and interesting energy absorption properties, they cannot be compared to synthetic fibres. To solve this problem, hybridization techniques can be considered, since the combination of synthetic and natural fibres allows for good performances. The aim of this study was to characterize the delamination and in-plane crashworthiness behaviour of carbon, flax and hybrid composites from experimental and numerical points of view. Double Cantilever Beam and Four-Point End Notched Flexure tests were carried out to determine the interlaminar fracture modes. In-plane crashworthiness tests were then performed to investigate the delamination phenomenon and the energy absorption capacity considering two different geometries: flat and corrugated. Numerical models were created and validated on both geometries, comparing the obtained load–displacement curves with the experimental ones. Crush force efficiency and specific energy absorption were quantified to provide a proper comparison of the investigated materials. The good results achieved represent a promising starting point for the design of future and more complex structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial reefs represent useful tools to revitalize coastal and ocean ecosystems. Their formulation determines the biofilm formation which is the prerequisite for the colonization process by marine micro- and macroorganisms. In comparison with concrete, biobased polymers offer improved characteristics, including architecture, formulation, rugosity and recycling. This article aims to explore a new scale of artificial reef made of biocomposites reinforced with a high flax fibre (Linum utilatissimum) content (30%). Cellular adhesion and resulting biofilm formation were assessed using two marine microorganisms: Pseudoalteromonas sp. 3J6 and Cylindrotheca closterium. The influence of flax fibre leachates and plastic monomers on the growth of those marine microorganisms were also evaluated. Results indicated that the introduction of flax fibres inside the polymer matrix modified its physicochemical properties thus modulating adhesion and biofilm formation depending on the microorganism. This study gives insights for further developments of novel functionalized artificial reefs made of biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeders need to mine the underlying genes of target traits for their improvement before the inception of the breeding program. We conducted this research to decipher the number of genes along with their interactions and linkage for seed color, flower color, and anther color, and to show the reflection of genetic divergence on phenotypic variations in segregating populations by crossing diverse flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes. Seed color showed maternal effect and appeared to be controlled by two and three independent genes having dominant, duplicate, and dominant epistatic interactions varying according to cross combinations. The flower and anther color were controlled by one and two independent genes showing dominant and duplicate interactions. We observed a strong genetic linkage among seed, flower, and anther color genes. We also found that the incorporation of diverse parents in crossing resulted in more phenotypic variation, which included new phenotypic classes other than parents in the segregating population for seed color. This research will facilitate indirect selection and help in developing markers for marker‐assisted selection in flax breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate detection and counting of flax plant organs are crucial for obtaining phenotypic data and are the cornerstone of flax variety selection and management strategies. In this study, a Flax-YOLOv5 model is proposed for obtaining flax plant phenotypic data. Based on the solid foundation of the original YOLOv5x feature extraction network, the network structure was extended to include the BiFormer module, which seamlessly integrates bi-directional encoders and converters, enabling it to focus on key features in an adaptive query manner. As a result, this improves the computational performance and efficiency of the model. In addition, we introduced the SIoU function to compute the regression loss, which effectively solves the problem of mismatch between predicted and actual frames. The flax plants grown in Lanzhou were collected to produce the training, validation, and test sets, and the detection results on the validation set showed that the average accuracy (mAP@0.5) was 99.29%. In the test set, the correlation coefficients (R) of the model's prediction results with the manually measured number of flax fruits, plant height, main stem length, and number of main stem divisions were 99.59%, 99.53%, 99.05%, and 92.82%, respectively. This study provides a stable and reliable method for the detection and quantification of flax phenotypic characteristics. It opens up a new technical way of selecting and breeding good varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite materials made of bio-based matrices reinforced with natural fibers are a potential solution to meet the environmental constraints of manufacturing industries. Interactions between a partially bio-based epoxy resin and flax fibers were investigated in three different ways. An internally developed experiment named Curing Thermal Monitoring (CTM) revealed that curing of epoxy–amine composite plates is accelerated by a factor 2 when reinforced by flax fibers containing 10% wt water. Deeper insight obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the curing acceleration effect of water increases the variation of entropy and lead to higher activation energy values (Eα ≈ 55 kJ/mol). Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements highlight that composite with wet fibers has a higher glass transition temperature (Tg = 60 °C) value after manufacturing, which is a consequence of the higher reactivity induced by water. By contrast, composite reinforced by dried flax fibers showed a lower curing reactivity and thus lower Eα values (≈ 43 kJ/mol) and Tg value (48 °C) after manufacturing. Both composites were stored under relative humidity conditions after manufacturing and evidenced an increase in Tg due to water absorption. A post-curing helped the composite with dried fibers to reach maximum Tg = (92 °C) while this was not the case for composite with wet fibers due to chaotic network geometry caused by the entropic effect (89 °C). Water contained in the flax fibers can act as a plasticizer after the post-curing as the Tg decreases with the absorbed water. This work gives a better understanding of the role of water naturally contained in flax fibers and point out the fact that monitoring the moisture of flax fibers is a key parameter to manufacture bio-based composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibers are a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers due to their high weight‐specific Young's moduli and strengths. However, the mechanical properties of natural fibers are very sensitive to their moisture content. Therefore, chemical treatments are often applied to natural fibers to lower their water absorption and enhance fiber‐matrix interaction. The aim is to study the effects of fiber modifications with sodium hydroxide, silane, and siloxane on the water uptake and tensile properties of flax fiber composites produced via prepreg technology. In addition, the effect of moisture on the composites' tensile properties was investigated by conditioning one part of the tensile specimens according to DIN EN 2823 (at 70°C and 85% relative humidity). The NaOH treatment was the only modification that had positive effects on the Young's modulus and tensile strength in the unconditioned and conditioned state. The increase of the tensile modulus and strength are most likely due to changes in flax fiber composition, crystallinity of the cellulose and the rougher fiber surface of NaOH modified fibers. This shows that chemical treatment of natural fibers may improve the performance level of natural fiber composites and prevent a loss in their mechanical properties in humid environments. Highlights: Flax fiber modifications with sodium hydroxide, silane, and siloxane.Flax fiber composite production via prepreg technology.Water uptake after conditioning at 70°C and 85% relative humidity.Tensile tests before and after conditioning.SEM images of modified flax fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Three dimensional (3D) textiles are preferable reinforcing materials for composites with lightweight and higher mechanical properties. In this study, a 3D woven flax fiber reinforced PLA composite with better flexural and tensile properties was developed. Four hybrid yarns with varied PLA contents were prepared as warp, weft and z‐yarns to weave the 3D preform and then changed to composites through compression molding technology without additional fillers and matrixes. The composite's flexural and tensile properties were studied and an optimum value of 78.0 and 140.0 MPa respectively were found. Stress strain properties were also discussed which implies the flexural elongation is higher than those of tensile values. The microstructure was analyzed using optical microscope and SEM equipment's showed composites with higher PLA content were more brittle due to the PLA inimitable behavior. The thermal properties of the 3D composites made with different Flax/PLA combinations have closer and comparable values. One way ANOVA statistical analysis was done to show the significancy of PLA /Flax mass ratio, which has a significant effect on composite's properties. This study could bring a novel procedural approach for an advanced 3D woven composites for load bearing applications. 3D woven flax /PLA composite was developed using Flax/PLA hybrid yarns Tensile and flexural properties were studied Flexural strength increases with PLA, but, slightly lower in its strain PLA/Flax mass ratio has a significant effect on composite's properties The mechanical strengths were improved compared to the related findings [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax fibre-reinforced polymer was used to manufacture 27 tubes. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of length and wall thickness on the tubes' bending capacity, strain behaviour, and failure mechanism which was investigated by conducting four-point loading experiments. The results indicated that with increasing the tube length, the failure mode of the tubes changed from ring-type deformation mode for short tubes to shear mode for medium-length and then to the bending mode for long tubes. While for short tubes, the largest strains developed in the hoop direction of the cross-section at mid-height, bottom, or top; for medium-length and long tubes, the largest strains occurred in the axial direction of the top or bottom cross-section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes and hyperlipidemia are major human health problems due to their high levels of mortality and morbidity. During the last decades, people affected by metabolic diseases are turning more and more to traditional medicine due to the undesirable side effects of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic drugs. Morocco has a wide floral diversity, which offers a wide range of aromatic and medicinal plants with potential application in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical market. In this survey, we are going to highlight the medicinal plants used traditionally by the Rabat community for the treatment of metabolic diseases like hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. A total of 475 participants were interviewed in this survey using a semi-structured questionnaire form. The results obtained were interpreted through the ethnopharmacological parameters such as UV, RFC and FUV. The results revealed 83 and 41 floristic species recorded as a remedy against diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, respectively. The most cited species are: Olea europaea, Solanum melongena and Linum usitatissimum. Leaves and seeds are the most used plant parts, while the oral administration of powder is the most common route of administration. It should also be noted that Moringa oleifera, Stevia rebaudiana, and Panax ginseng are not used by citizens but only by herbalists as anti-diabetic plants imported from outside Morocco, which implies that the people of Rabat region are not familiar with imported plants and are using the endemic and condiment species. The results of this study pave the way for phytochemical and pharmacological studies to confirm the activity of the highlighted species, and toxicological studies regarding the duration of treatment, dose and interaction with other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flax seeds are the richest plant source of lignans, which prevent the development of many diseases. In the seeds of cultivated species Linum usitatissimum, the lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) predominates. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of flax seeds was performed at five developmental stages for eight varieties differing in lignan content and grown under three variants of conditions, and expression of the PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes, which play a key role in the SDG synthesis, was assessed. Co-expression of the PLR1 and UGT74S1 genes, as well as tenfold and hundredfold changes in the expression level of these genes during seed development were revealed, which testified to their role in the synthesis of SDG in flax seeds. Reduced temperature (16°C) and excessive watering led to a shift in the maximum expression level of both genes to a later date (14th day after flowering), compared to the conditions of insufficient watering and elevated temperature (24°C), as well as optimum conditions (20°C) (7th day after flowering). Moreover, at elevated temperatures and insufficient watering, the PLR1 and UGT74S1 expression levels were lower than under optimum conditions. No association between the lignan content in seeds of the studied flax varieties and the PLR1 and UGT74S1 expression levels was found. These findings provide insight into the contribution of genotype and environment to the expression of key genes for SDG synthesis, which, among other things, is necessary for the development of optimum approaches for obtaining the lignan-rich flax seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The timing of flowering onset is often correlated with latitude, indicative of climatic gradients. Flowering onset in temperate species commonly requires exposure to cold temperatures, known as vernalization. Hence, population differentiation of flowering onset with latitude might reflect adaptation to the local climatic conditions experienced by populations. Methods Within its western range, seeds from Linum bienne populations (the wild relative of cultivated Linum usitatissimum) were used to describe the latitudinal differentiation of flowering onset to determine its association with the local climate of the population. A vernalization experiment including different crop cultivars was used to determine how vernalization accelerates flowering onset, in addition to the vernalization sensitivity response among populations and cultivars. Additionally, genetic differentiation of L. bienne populations along the latitudinal range was scrutinized using microsatellite markers. Key Results Flowering onset varied with latitude of origin, with southern populations flowering earlier than their northern counterparts. Vernalization reduced the number of days to flowering onset, but vernalization sensitivity was greater in northern populations compared with southern ones. Conversely, vernalization delayed flowering onset in the crop, exhibiting less variation in sensitivity. In L. bienne , both flowering onset and vernalization sensitivity were better predicted by the local climate of the population than by latitude itself. Microsatellite data unveiled genetic differentiation of populations, forming two groups geographically partitioned along latitude. Conclusions The consistent finding of latitudinal variation across experiments suggests that both flowering onset and vernalization sensitivity in L. bienne populations are under genetic regulation and might depend on climatic cues at the place of origin. The association with climatic gradients along latitude suggests that the climate experienced locally drives population differentiation of the flowering onset and vernalization sensitivity patterns. The genetic population structure suggests that past population history could have influenced the flowering initiation patterns detected, which deserves further work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agronomica Sinica is the property of Crop Science Society of China and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, a large number of carbonised plant remains recovered from the Early Bronze Age levels of the Yenibademli Höyük site, which is situated on Gökçeada (Imbros), north-western Turkey (Anatolia), in the north-east Aegean Sea, are examined to shed light on the plant-based agricultural economy. The archaeobotanical assemblage is predominantly composed of domesticated cereals and legumes and includes clover, grapevine, flax, Bupleurum and weedy species. Potential uses of the crop plants by the inhabitants, about 5000 years ago, are evaluated, based on archaeobotanical, ethnographic, ethnobotanical and historical data sources. The present study pays particular attention to finds of pure flax and Bupleurum seeds, recorded in abundance in recent excavations on the site. The flax seeds were discovered in container-related contexts, close to and within vessels. They are considered as stored products, probably for various purposes; potentially for cultivation to produce textile fibres and/or for use as food, medicine, animal feed supplement, or oil extraction. Many weaving tools recovered from the settlement are also considered to be for fabric production, potentially including linen textiles. Regarding Bupleurum, in the light of ancient Greek texts and ethnopharmacological information, it is hypothesised that its seeds found in a jug may represent storage for growing the plant to obtain its aerial and root parts, possibly for herbal medicine preparation or food and beverage preparation, or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many attempts have been made to make a composite either fully or partially from natural fiber as a part of sustainable development, which has superior strength compared to other natural fibers like flax, sisal, bamboo, and banana leaves. Basalt fiber is one of the naturally available mineral fibers that can overcome the issue of the low mechanical strength of natural fibers. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of hybridization on glass fiber composites with different weight fractions of basalt fiber. Composite laminates were made using the hand lay-up method from plain bidirectional glass fiber and plain bidirectional basalt fiber with epoxy as the thermosetting matrix material. Basalt fiber weight fraction varied to 0%, 26%, 54%, 84%, and 100% during the development of different laminates, and their density and mechanical characterizations were investigated using ASTM standards. A density test was carried out to evaluate the specific strength of different laminates. To evaluate the effects of different fiber weight fractions on the mechanical characteristics of the composite, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were carried out. It was observed that, compared to nonhybrid composites, hybrid composites showed superior properties in flexural, tensile, and impact tests. The results presented in this study show that in hybrid composites, different fiber weight fractions play a crucial role in the properties of the hybrid composite. one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to see if there were any statistically significant differences between the measured mechanical properties. As one of the major benefits of composites is their high ratio of strength to weight, a comparison of specific properties is carried out, and the positive effect of hybridization was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industries are looking forward to sustainable textile products. The bio‐based products are very important for protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions, eliminating chemical pollution, and preserving the resources. These products provide economic advantages and strengthen communities with customer expectations for environmentally friendly items. In addition, sustainable practices encourage innovation and contribute to a healthier and adaptable environment, making them an essential textile product. Here the natural flax fiber plays a vital role due to its eco‐friendly behavior. Cotton‐flax blended yarns are manufacturing for perfect use of natural fibers and getting the better quality yarn than single product yarn. Here in this work it was trying to find out the perfect blending ratio by using Design‐Expert software. Because different blended ratio contain different characteristics. So it was trying to find out a perfect blending solution from the thirteen different ratios by using Design‐Expert software. This software analyses the blended ratios through statistical analysis. This study focuses on the unevenness (U%), imperfection index (IPI), hairiness (H%), tenacity (cN/tex) and elongation at break of the blended yarn. During the analysis the actual and predicted values were checked and it shows good significance, the correlation and regression analysis highlight the results of the samples summary. The findings of the study have great impact on the quality of cotton‐flax blended yarn, which impact on the quality of textile products. This work not only helps to understand cotton‐flax blending using Design‐Expert software, but it also highlights the possibility of using the perfect blended ratio by giving a solution. Highlights: To identify the perfect blended ratio of flax and cotton fiber for producing blended yarn.Design‐Expert software has been used to find out the perfect response through yarn properties surface methodology.Thirteen experimental runs were trailed to find the perfect result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cotton Textile Technology is the property of Cotton Textile Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Composite laminates were produced by RTM using similar glass and flax fabrics and both vitrimer epoxy and aerospace-grade epoxy, both formulated for liquid molding. Tensile and flexural properties were measured and compared, revealing that the vitrimer composites exhibited equivalent performance in flexural strength and tensile modulus, but slightly lower performance in tensile strength relative to reference epoxy composites. In general, glass–fiber composites outperformed flax–fiber composites in tension. However, both glass and flax–fiber composites yielded roughly equivalent flexural strength and tensile modulus-to-weight ratios. Flax fabrics were recovered from composites by matrix dissolution, and a second-life laminate showed full retention of the mechanical properties relative to those produced from fresh flax. Finally, a demonstration of re-forming was undertaken, showing that simple press-forming can be used to modify the composite shape. However, re-forming to a flat configuration resulted in local fiber damage and a decrease in mechanical properties. An alternative forming method was demonstrated that resulted in less fiber damage, indicating that further refinements might lead to a viable forming and re-forming process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, an innovative range of foams based on flax gum-filled epoxy resin was developed, reinforced or not by flax fibers. Foams and composites with different gum and epoxy resin contents were produced and their mechanical and thermal performances were characterized. To enhance the organic flax gum filler's cross-linking, we exploited the oxidized components' reactivity with the amine hardener (isophorone diamine). We compared the materials obtained with those derived from the native components. The flax gum and fibers were primarily characterized by chemical analysis, NMR, and FTIR to evaluate the mild oxidation of the native materials. The formation of chemical bonds between the oxidized polymer chains, epoxy resin, and hardener was evidenced by FTIR, and the materials were then studied by SEM and X-ray computed micro-tomography (CT) and submitted to mechanical and thermal tests. The relevance of the oxidation treatment was highlighted through a significant increase in density and mechanical performance (+36% and +81%, respectively, for the 100% flax gum material). The positive effect of the flax fibers on homogeneity evidenced through micro-CT analysis was also clearly addressed. This set of promising results paves the way for the future development of fully flax-based insulation composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT), which combines photodynamic (PDT) and sonodynamic (SDT) therapies with sensitizers, offers new avenues for cancer treatment. Even though new sensitizers for SPDT have been synthesized with great success, few of them are effectively used. The limited tumor-targeting specificity, inability to transport the sensitizers deeply intratumorally, and the deteriorating tumor microenvironment limit their anti-tumor effectiveness. The current study was carried out aiming at high-frequency ultrasound-assisted drug delivery of chia, cress and flax conjugated hematite iron oxide nanoparticles (CCF–HIONP) for photothermal–photodynamic lung cancer (LCA) treatment in vitro and in vivo as activated cancer treatment up-to-date modality. Materials and methods The study was conducted in vitro on human LCA cells (A-549) and the study protocol application groups in vivo on Swiss albino mice treated with benzo[a]pyrene only and were not received any treatment for inducing LCA, and only after LCA induction the study treatment protocol began, treatment was daily with CCF–HIONP as HIFU–SPDT sensitizer with or without exposure to laser (IRL) or high-frequency ultrasound (HIFU–US) or a combination of laser and/or high-frequency ultrasound for 3 min for 2 weeks. Results Revealed that HIONP can be employed as effective CCF delivery system that directly targets LCA cells. In addition, CCF–HIONP is a promising HIFU–SPS for HIFU–SPDT and when combined with HIFU–SPDT can be very effective in treatment of LCA–A549 in vitro (cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent basis, the cell cycle progression in G0/G1 was slowed down, and cell death was induced as evidenced by an increase in the population of Pre-G cells, an increase in early and late apoptosis and necrosis, and an increase in autophagic cell death) and benzo[a]pyrene LCA-induce mice in vivo (decreased oxidative stress (MDA), and ameliorated enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, GR, GPx, GST, CAT, GSH, and TAC) as well as renal (urea, creatinine) and hepatic (ALT, AST) functions, induced antiproliferative genes (caspase 3,9, p53, Bax, TNFalpha), suppressed antiapoptotic and antiangiogenic genes (Bcl2,VEGF respectively) and effectively reducing the growth of tumors and even leading to cancer cell death. This process could be attributed to photochemical and/or high-frequency sono-chemical activation mechanism HIFU–SPDT. Conclusions The results indicate that CCF–HIONP has great promise as an innovative, effective delivery system for selective localized treatment of lung cancer that is activated by HIFU–SPDT.

Abstract Linseed, also known as flax is an important oilseed crop with many potential uses in paint, textile, food and pharmaceutical industries. Susceptibility to bud fly (Dasyneura lini Barnes) infestation is a serious biotic concern leading to severe yield penalty in linseed. Protease inhibitors (PIs) are potential candidates that activate during the insect-pest attack and modulate the resistance. In the present study, we explored the PI candidates in the linseed genome and a total of 100 LuPI genes were identified and grouped into five distinct subgroups. The analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that almost all LuPI promoters contain several regulatory elementary related to growth and development, hormonal regulation and stress responses. Across the subfamilies of PIs, the specific domains are consistently found conserved in all protein sequences. The tissue-specific in-silico expression pattern via RNA-seq revealed that all the genes were regulated during different stress. The expression through qRT-PCR of 15 genes revealed the significant up-regulation of LuPI-24, LuPI-40, LuPI-49, LuPI-53, and LuPI-63 upon bud fly infestation in resistant genotype EC0099001 and resistant check variety Neela. This study establishes a foundation resource for comprehending the structural, functional, and evolutionary dimensions of protease inhibitors in linseed.

Water stress is a critical environmental adversity that significantly impacts the growth, development, and yield of flax plants. In this study, flax seeds were cultivated under different water irrigation requirements (WIR) (100%, 75%, and 50%) to investigate the effects of exogenously supplied nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as foliar treatments at concentrations of 0.0 ​mmol/L, 0.5 ​mmol/L, 1.0 ​mmol/L, and 2.0 ​mmol/L. Drought stress led to a significant decrease in plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, yield components such as oil and total carbohydrate percentage. It also resulted in an increase in leaf H2O2 production, lipid peroxidation levels and activities of enzymatic antioxidants including polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and nitrate reductase enzymes. However, foliar application of SNP improved photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant defense system which mitigated the negative impact of water stress on growth and yield productivity by reducing oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species accumulation. The use of SNP also decreased H2O2 accumulation levels, lipid peroxidation levels, and improved membrane stability. SNP treatment at concentration of 2 ​mmol/L showed superior results compared to other concentrations with extremely significant increases observed in yield characteristics such as oil content, total carbohydrate percentages, and unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio.

Abstract The textile industries are looking forward to sustainable textile products. The bio‐based products are very important for protecting the environment, reducing carbon emissions, eliminating chemical pollution, and preserving the resources. These products provide economic advantages and strengthen communities with customer expectations for environmentally friendly items. In addition, sustainable practices encourage innovation and contribute to a healthier and adaptable environment, making them an essential textile product. Here the natural flax fiber plays a vital role due to its eco‐friendly behavior. Cotton‐flax blended yarns are manufacturing for perfect use of natural fibers and getting the better quality yarn than single product yarn. Here in this work it was trying to find out the perfect blending ratio by using Design‐Expert software. Because different blended ratio contain different characteristics. So it was trying to find out a perfect blending solution from the thirteen different ratios by using Design‐Expert software. This software analyses the blended ratios through statistical analysis. This study focuses on the unevenness (U%), imperfection index (IPI), hairiness (H%), tenacity (cN/tex) and elongation at break of the blended yarn. During the analysis the actual and predicted values were checked and it shows good significance, the correlation and regression analysis highlight the results of the samples summary. The findings of the study have great impact on the quality of cotton‐flax blended yarn, which impact on the quality of textile products. This work not only helps to understand cotton‐flax blending using Design‐Expert software, but it also highlights the possibility of using the perfect blended ratio by giving a solution. Highlights To identify the perfect blended ratio of flax and cotton fiber for producing blended yarn. Design‐Expert software has been used to find out the perfect response through yarn properties surface methodology. Thirteen experimental runs were trailed to find the perfect result.

A field experiment was conducted at the Al-Hamidhiya Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, during the winter season of 2021-2022 to study the effect of seeding rates on several flax genotypes. The experiment was carried out using a split-plot arrangement according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) with three replications. The main plots included four seeding rates: 15, 25, 35, and 45 kg ha-1, while the sub-plots included four genotypes of flax: Sakha 1, Sakha 5, Syrian, and Local. The results showed that the Sakha 1 genotype was significantly superior in the number of main branches, crop growth rate, individual plant yield, and oil yield with 1.60 plant branches-1, 3.20 g m-2 day-1, 0.827 g, and 0.599 tons ha-1, respectively. The Sakha 5 genotype was superior in earliness at the beginning of flowering and the percentage of oil in the seeds with 93.75 days and 34.57%, respectively. The Syrian genotype showed superiority in terms of stem diameter with 2.59 mm. Flax plants planted with a seed quantity of 45 kg ha-1 outperformed in early flowering, yield growth rate, oil percentage, and oil yield, reaching 91.92 days, 3.85 g m-2 day-1, 33.20%, and 0.624 tons ha-1, respectively. Meanwhile, plants planted with a seed quantity of 15 kg ha-1 outperformed in the highest average stem diameter, number of main branches, and individual plant yield with 2.92 mm, 1.53 plant branches-1, and 0.822 g, respectively.

During the selection of crops aimed at creating high-fiber varieties, it is important to determine the patterns of fiber formation at the molecular level and the genotype specificity of cellulose synthesis processes, to study the efficiency of the genes responsible for cellulose synthesis at various stages of plant ontogenesis. The aim of the work was to study the expression of flax cellulose synthase genes. The objects of the study were 8 samples of flax (genus Linum), differing in fiber content: 7 cultivarеs of Linum usitatissimum L., of which 5 cultivarеs of fiber flax, 2 cultivarеs of oilseed flax, as well as one sample of large-flowered flax (L. grandiflorum Desf.). The studied cultivar were grown in a growth chamber. Samples of plant material were taken on the 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th day after germination. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were carried out. RNA sequences of CesA1, CesA4, CesA6, CesA7 were obtained and gene-specific primers for PCR were developed. Gene expression was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and reaction products were separated by size using a 1.2% agarose gel. Based on the data obtained, the presence of phase- and genotype-specificity in the process of expression of cellulose synthases of the CesA family in the flax stem was established. Cellulose synthases of the primary cell wall of flax (CesA1, CesA6) show a dynamic increase in expression up to the «herringbone» stage, and then the expression gradually decreases towards the onset of rapid growth phase, while cellulose synthases of the secondary cell wall (CESA4, CESA7) are characterized by a constant increase in expression from the first days of the development of seedlings to the phase of rapid growth.

Flax is considered to be one of the most significant dual-purpose crops for oil and fiber production in Egypt and worldwide. Biofertilizers have a substantial impact on various metabolic processes, including increased photosynthesis, endogenous hormone levels, ion absorption, nucleic acid synthesis, and protein synthesis. These factors collectively contribute to the growth and development of plants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how three biofertilizers (Algae extract, CMS as a by-product of yeast, and Metalosate multi minerals as amino acids) can enhance both the quantity and quality of flax seed yield under sandy soil conditions. Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Station of National Research Centre in Nubaria District, Behira Governorate, Egypt during two seasons (2021/2022) using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The results revealed significant differences among all tested biofertilizers in terms of various characteristics studied in flax. Foliar application of algae extract at a rate of 1.50 ​mL/L resulted in an increase in seed yield (ton/ha) by 26.69% & 19.89%, straw yield (ton/ha) by 8.08% & 17.12%, and oil yield (kg/ha) by 47.72% & 33.69% compared to the control group during both seasons respectively. Foliar applications of algae extract at a rate of 1.50 ​mL/L along with CMS at a rate of 5 ​mL/L and amino acids at a rate of 1.50 ​mL/L demonstrated significantly higher macronutrient contents (N, P, K), micronutrient contents (Fe, Zn, Mn), seed oil content, and protein content in flax seeds during both seasons. The highest values for seed oil content and protein content % were obtained through foliar application of amino acids at a rate of 1.50 ​mL/L. It can be concluded that foliar sprays with these biofertilizers effectively improved flax performance by increasing seed straw and oil yields, nutrients oil, protein and fatty acids seeds contents.

Abstract Under greenhouse conditions, the resistance of 18 different genotypes of flax to powdery mildew was evaluated. To investigate genetic diversity and identify the molecular and biochemical markers linked to powdery mildew resistance in the tested genotypes, two molecular marker systems—start codon targeted (SCoT) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)—as well as a biochemical marker (protein profiles, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolites) were used. Based on the results, the genotypes were classified into four categories: highly susceptible, susceptible, moderately susceptible, and moderately resistant. The genotypes differed significantly in powdery mildew severity: Polk had a severity of 92.03% and Leona had a severity of 18.10%. Compared to the other genotypes, the moderately resistant genotypes had higher levels of flavonoids, antioxidant enzymes, phenolics, and straw yield; nevertheless, their hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels were lower. Protein profiles revealed 93.75% polymorphism, although the ISSR marker displayed more polymorphism (78.4%) than the SCoT marker (59.7%). Specific molecular and biochemical markers associated with powdery mildew resistance were identified. The 18 genotypes of flax were divided into two major clusters by the dendrogram based on the combined data of molecular markers. The first main cluster included Leona (genotype number 7), considered moderate resistance to powdery mildew and a separate phenetic line. The second main cluster included the other 17 genotypes, which are grouped together in a sub-cluster. This means that, besides SCoT, ISSR markers can be a useful supplementary technique for molecular flax characterization and for identifying genetic associations between flax genotypes under powdery mildew infection.

Cadmium is one of the most harmful heavy metals that harm agricultural products. Evaluating microRNAs expression is a new and accurate method to study plant response in various environmental conditions. So this study aimed to evaluate the contribution of two symbiotic fungi in improving flax tolerance in a Cd-polluted soil using microRNAs and their target gene expression. A factorial pot experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted with different levels of Cd (0, 20, and 40 mg kg−1) on non-inoculated and inoculated flax with Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Serendipita indica. The results presented that increasing Cd levels caused a constant decline of alkaline phosphatase of soil (from 243 to 210 and 153 μg PNP g−1 h−1), respectively, from control (Cd0) to 20 and 40 mg Cd kg−1. However, the inoculation of flax with fungi significantly enhanced these properties. A negative correlation was observed between the expression level of microRNA 167 and microRNA 398 with their corresponding target genes, auxin response factor 8 and superoxide dismutase zinc/copper 1, respectively. The expression level of both microRNAs and their targets indicated that the inoculation with symbiont fungi could diminish Cd stress and enhance the growth of flax. Soil contamination with Cd affects plant growth. Root symbiotic fungi can improve plant growth in Cd-polluted soils. Examining microRNA expression is a new and accurate method to evaluate plant response to Cd pollution and symbiotic fungi. Measuring microRNAs in response to fungus symbiosis and Cd pollution. Measuring proline content of flax and phosphatase enzyme activity in soil in Cd pollution and fungus inoculation treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this study is the comparison of different reinforcement architectures on the low-velocity impact behavior of green composites. The study includes the comparison of unidirectional, basket weave, and twill weave flax/PLA composites, they are subjected to unidirectional tensile tests, drop-weight impact tests, and after-impact compression tests. Results show that the unidirectional composite demonstrates superior tensile strength and initial modulus due to reduced fiber crimp, while basket weave exhibits the highest energy absorption capability and strain capacity attributed to its higher fiber–weight ratio and fiber crimp. Unidirectional composite also shows a larger impacted damage area compared to basket weave and twill weave, attributed to its internal architecture. Residual compressive strength across all composites decreased by 40% compared to the reference sample. However, the reduction in stiffness after impact was different, UD/PLA composite stiffness was reduced by 30% while the reduction in BW/PLA and T/PLA composites was about 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]