Phenolic constituents in flax bast tissue and inhibition of cellulase and pectinase

Flax bast tissue was sequentially extracted using hexane, propanol, methanol and water as solvents and extracts were analyzed using reverse phase HPLC and C-13 NMR. Results indicated a large variety of aromatic constituents including flavonoids and hydroxy-methoxy cinnamic acids linked to oligosaccharides and hydroxy acids through glycosidic linkages. The extracts inhibited cellulase and pectinase activities and can thus influence retting.