Dr Justyna Mierziak-Derecka from the Faculty of Biotechnology at the University of Wrocław will carry out a project “Can plant metabolites effectively reduce mycotoxin content in flax?”. She has won almost PLN 2 million for her research in the Sonata competition of the National Science Centre.
Flax is one of the oldest cultivated plants. Its seeds are pressed into oil, which contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that are valuable for human health. In addition, the seeds are rich in many compounds with health-promoting properties.
Flax fibre, is a good quality fibre traditionally used for textiles. It also has a number of bioactive compounds, making it an important raw material for the production of wound dressings, implants or biocomposites.
Fungal infections as well as mycotoxin contamination of flax raw materials are a big problem for flax cultivation. The results of the research will broaden the knowledge of mycotoxins in flax and also contribute to the development of an effective method of protection.
