Effects of flaxseed germination on oil composition, tissue n-3 fatty acid profiles, and brain lipidomics in mice

Germination enriched lignans and sterols but lowered the oil ALA proportion. • A 13-week flaxseed oil dietary intervention with flaxseed oil was conducted in mice. • Most tissue n-3 fatty acid measures showed no significant GFO-UGFO differences. Germination can enrich bioactive components in flaxseed oil, but its effects on tissue lipid profiles remain unclear. This study examined changes in oil composition and tissue lipid responses to germinated flaxseed oil (GFO). Mice received soybean oil, ungerminated flaxseed oil (UGFO), or GFO for 13 weeks. Adipose tissue and red blood cell fatty acid profiles and brain lipidomics were assessed. GFO contained 1.3 times the sterol content and 3.4 times the lignan content of UGFO, but its alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, ALA) proportion was lower (53.35% versus 57.17%). Most measured tissue n-3 fatty acid outcomes showed no significant differences between GFO and UGFO. Brain lipidomics revealed differences in several EPA- and DHA-containing species relative to soybean oil controls. Our findings characterize the tissue lipid responses to UGFO and GFO, and provides a basis for optimizing germination through a balance between ALA retention and minor component enrichment.