- Top sunflower oil and seed-producing countries in the world by rank (together provide 84 percent of
world supply):
1. The Former Soviet Union (27 percent of world production)
2. Argentina
3. Eastern Europe
4. USA
5. China
6. France
7. Spain
- Striped sunflowers, called “stripers” or confectionary sunflowers are grown primarily for human consumption.
- Solid black sunflowers, higher in oil than stripers, usually pressed for oil; also favored for birdseed because of their high oil content.
- Sunflower oil may be used as is—or processed into polyunsaturated margarines.
- Sunflower oil comes in several forms: high linoleic (at least 66 percent linoleic acid) and high oleic
(at least 82 percent oleic acid). NuSun, a mid-oleic form introduced in 1998, is touted as a trans
fat-free sunflower oil that provides stability without partial hydrogenation. Variations in fatty acid profile are influenced by both genetics and climate.
- In 2006, the Lays Company began frying its entire line of potato chips and snacks in NuSun brand sun flower oil, cutting saturated fat by 50 percent.
- Sunflower oil supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil; also an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein and minerals, including magnesium and selenium.
- Sunflower oil is also used as a smoothing agent in cosmetics and skin creams.
- Sunflower oil is being studied as a biological source of hydrogen for potential use in biofuels.
For more information contact John Burke at jmburke@uga.edu.
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