Sunflower oil From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds. Sunflower oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and in cosmetic formulations as an emollient.
Composition
Sunflower oil contains predominantly linoleic acid in triglyceride form. The British Pharmacopoeia lists the following profile:[1]
* Palmitic acid : 4 - 9%,
* Stearic acid : 1 - 7%,
* Oleic acid : 14 - 10%,
* Linoleic acid : 48 - 74%.
There are several types of sunflower oils produced, such as high linoleic, high oleic and mid oleic. Mid linoleic sunflower oil typically has at least 69% linoleic acid. High oleic sunflower oil has at least 82% oleic acid. Variation in unsaturated fatty acids profile is strongly influenced by both genetics and climate. In the last decade, high stearic sunflower lines have been developed in Spain to avoid the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils in the food industry.
Sunflower oil also contains lecithin, tocopherols, carotenoids and waxes. Sunflower oil's properties are typical of a vegetable triglyceride oil. Sunflower oil is produced from oil type sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is light in taste and appearance and has a high vitamin E content. It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels.
Physical properties
- Sunflower oil is liquid at room temperature. The refined oil is clear and slightly amber-colored with a slightly fatty odor.
- Smoke point (refined) 232 °C 450 °F[2]
- Smoke point (unrefined) 227 °C 440 °
- Density (25 °C) 918.8 kg/m3
- Refractive index (25 °C) ≈1.4646
- Viscosity, 25 C, unrefined: 0.04914 kg/(M*S)
Uses
As a frying oil, sunflower oil behaves as a typical vegetable triglyceride. In cosmetics, it has smoothing properties and is considered noncomedogenic. Only the high oleic variety possesses shelf life sufficient for commercial cosmetic formulation. Sunflower oil's INCI name is Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.
Nutrition
Several varieties of sunflower oilseeds have been developed by standard genetic methods. The original oilseed was high in glyceryl linoleate. A premium high oleic strain was developed in the late twentieth century. Early in the 21st century, a mid oleic strain marketed as Nu-Sun was introduced as an improved frying oil that would have a low level of saturated fat, but would not require hydrogenation. These three major strains differ greatly in their levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. There are also minor differences in their saturated fat content.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| saturated | 9.748 g |
| monounsaturated | 83.594 g |
| polyunsaturated | 3.798 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| saturated | 10.3 g |
| monounsaturated | 19.5 g |
| polyunsaturated | 65.7 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3,699 kJ (884 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 100 g |
| saturated | 9.009 g |
| monounsaturated | 57.344 g |
| polyunsaturated | 28.962 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Vitamin E | 41.08 mg (274%) |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 μg (5%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. | |
| Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Monounsaturated Fat | Polyunsaturated Fat | Smoke Point | |
| Vegetable Shortening (hydrogenated) | 71g | 23g | 8g | 37g | 360°F/182°C |
| Sunflower oil | 100g | 10g | 20g | 66g | 450°F/232°C |
| Soybean oil | 100g | 16g | 23g | 58g | 450°F/232°C |
| Peanut oil | 100g | 17g | 46g | 32g | 450°F/232°C |
| Olive oil | 100g | 14g | 73g | 11g | 420°F/216°C |
| Lard | 100g | 39g | 45g | 11g | 370°F/188°C |
| Suet | 94g | 52g | 32g | 3g | 400°F/200°C |
| Butter | 81g | 51g | 21g | 3g | 350°F/177°C |
Health benefits
There are a variety of health benefits associated with the consumption of sunflower oil.
Diet and cardiovascular benefits
Sunflower oil is high in the essential vitamin E and low in saturated fat. The two most common types of sunflower oil are linoleic and high oleic. Linoleic sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that has high levels of the essential fatty acids called polyunsaturated fat. It is also known for having a clean taste and low levels of trans fat. High oleic sunflower oils are classified as having monounsaturated levels of 80% and above. Newer versions of sunflower oil have been developed as a hybrid containing linoleic acid. They have monounsaturated levels lower than other oleic sunflower oils. The hybrid oil also has lower saturated fat levels than linoleic sunflower oil.
Restaurant and food industry uses
Restaurants and food manufacturers are becoming aware of the health benefits of sunflower oil. The oil can be used in conditions with extremely high cooking temperatures. It may also help food stay fresher and healthier for longer periods of time [7]. Food manufacturers are starting to use sunflower oil in an effort to lower the levels of trans fat in mass produced foods. A number of common snack foods currently contain sunflower oil, including NewYork Fries French fries, Majans bhuja Mix healthy snacks, the Sri Lankan style Bombay Mix - Rani Mix, Kettle Chips, Sun Chips, Sunflower Chips, Ruffles, Walkers and Lay's potato chips. The recipe of Lay's potato chips was modified in late 2006 to use sunflower oil as the only frying oil;[8] by 2009, the recipe again included other "natural oils".
Skin protectant
Sunflower oil, like other oils, can retain moisture in the skin. It may also provide a protective barrier that resists infection in premature infants. Studies using sunflower oil have been conducted involving low birth weight infants that are often susceptible to infection due to their underdeveloped skin. The study determined that infants receiving a daily skin treatment of sunflower oil were 41% less likely to develop infections in hospital.
