Sunflower Oil

SUNFLOWER OIL

(Helianthus Annuus)

Sunflower Oil  

Is fixed oil obtained from the seeds of cultivated varieties of Helianthus annuus Lin. (Asteraceae). Russia ranks first in the production of oil and the Argentina is second in ranking followed by Russia, Ukraine and France.

Chemical Constituents

This oil consist of a mixture of triglycerides which are rich unsaturated fatty acid, the main fatty acid are Palmitic 3-10%, stearic 1-10%, oleic 14-35%; Linoleic 55-75% and Linolenic <0.3%.

        The unsaponifiable matter characterized by many sterols; ß-sitosterol (60%), alongside ∆^7-  stigamasterol (7-14%) and ∆^5- avenasterol (4-6%) are also present.

Tocopherol are mainly represented by α-toco- pherol in this oil.

Health Food

       It is used as dietary supplements. This oil is used as an alternative to corn and safflower oil for culinary purposes and it is an ingredient of a number of speciality dietary supplements.