Title: Sunflower Seed Oil
Literature References: The oil obtained by milling the seeds of Helianthus annuus L., Compositae. Classified as a semidrying oil. Alternately classified as an oleic-linoleic acid oil. Produced on a large scale in U.S.S.R., the Baltic region, India, Egypt, Canada, Argentina. Composition: palmitic acid 6.4%, stearic acid 1.3%, arachidic acid 4.0%, behenic acid 0.8%, oleic acid 21.3%, linoleic acid 66.2% (the glycerides in sunflower oil consist mainly of mixed triglycerides, each contg one or two linoleic acid radicals), linolenic acid <0.1%. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) 75 mg/100 g. This approaches the tocopherol content of wheat germ oil which is 103 mg/100 g. Reviews: E. W. Eckey, Vegetable Fats and Oils (Reinhold, New York, 1954) pp 772-777; L. H. Bailey, Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture vol. II (Macmillan, New York, 1953) pp 1445-1449.
Properties: Pale yellow oil. Bland, agreeable taste. d1515 0.922-0.926. d2525 0.915-0.919. mp -18°. Titer: 16-20°. Acid value: 0.6. Saponif value: 188-194. Iodine value: 125-136. Thiocyanogen value: 78. Hydroxyl value: 14-16. Reichert-Meissl value below 0.5. Polenske value below 0.5. Unsaponifiable below 1.5%. nD25 1.472-1.474. nD40 1.466-1.468. Slightly sol in alc. Miscible with benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride. Forms a "skin" after exposure to air for 2-3 weeks.
Melting point: mp -18°
Index of refraction: nD25 1.472-1.474; nD40 1.466-1.468
Density: d1515 0.922-0.926; d2525 0.915-0.919
Use: Food and salad oil, in candy manuf, in oleomargarine. Like wheat germ oil in dietary supplements. Industrially in oil-modified alkyd resins and soap manuf. |