**3. Statistics of publications**

The purpose of this review is to cover the most relevant papers and patent applications that attempt to provide a clear picture of flaxseeds used in various food products and how these food products can benefit diabetics. This review included 34 kinds of research, 18 of which were paper publications and 16 of which were patent applications. These studies are classified into five major categories based on the end product. **Figure 4** depicted the percentage breakdown of the various categories covered in the review. Out of the 34 reviewed studies, 12 were bakery products, so this category took first place with 35.29 percent and contributed the most to the literature review. The remaining 64.71 percent was distributed as follows: 26.47 percent of extruded snacks and beverages secured second place with 9 researchers, 17.64 percent of nutritional supplements secured third place with 6, With 4, 11.76 percent of dairy products secured fourth place, and 8.82 percent of food mixes secured fifth place with 3 studies. Out of 16 applications, six have been taken by

**Figure 4.** *Types (in percentage) of food reviewed under each category.*

**Figure 5.** *Distributions of patent applications.*

companies and two have been taken by research institutes, and the remaining eight applications are still not commercially available. Seven different inventors enjoy 50% of the total share with 8 patent applications out of a total of 16 patents covered in this review. One inventor, V.M Jolly captured 2 patents. These patents are not still claimed by any company, lab, or institute therefore not commercially available. Six different patents were captured by 4 different companies that enjoy 37.5% of the total share. Hangzhou Tianlong health products Co. Ltd. captured 3 patents and enjoys an 18.75% share of 37.5%. Shenzhen Jielikang biological Tech. Co. Ltd., Hockings consulting Inc., Guangzhou Saliai stemcell Science and Tech. Co. Ltd., each availed 6.25% of 37.5% with 3 patents. Two other research institutes Shanxi biological institutes and Zhejiang Ocean University captured a collective share of 12.5% as they claimed 1 patent each. **Figure 5** represented the distribution of different patent applications claimed by companies, institutes & inventors as assignees.
