GERMANY: Flax seeds, lupines incorporated in food

. FREISING, Germany / United Press International / September 8, 2008: German researchers say they have isolated the components of flax seeds and lupine seeds and incorporated them into bread, cakes, pasta or dressings. Research scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV in Freising, Germany, have isolated components of flax seeds, which contain fiber, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, and lupine seeds, which contain the full range of essential amino acids and are being recognized as a cash crop alternative to soy. The researchers used the flax seeds in cakes, bread, dressings and sauces, while the lupines have been incorporated in bread, rolls and pasta. "Flax is not only high in soluble fiber but also contains lignans. These substances are phytoestrogens, so they have a similar effect to that of the isoflavones that we know from soy beans. According to the literature, they protect the organism against hormone-dependent forms of cancer -- that is, breast and prostate cancer," project manager Dr. Katrin Hasenkopf said in a statement. "The lupins, on the other hand, contain substances that our studies have found to have a positive impact on the cholesterol level." The researchers are to present the findings at the Biotechnica trade fair in October in Hanover, Germany. © 2008 United Press International, Inc.