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.
