Sunflower seed
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2,445 kJ (584 kcal) |
|
20 g | |
| Sugars | 2.62 g |
| Dietary fiber | 8.6 g |
|
51.46 g | |
| Saturated | 4.455 g |
| Monounsaturated | 18.528 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 23.137 g |
|
20.78 g | |
| Vitamins | |
| Thiamine (B1) |
(129%) 1.48 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
(30%) 0.355 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
(56%) 8.335 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
(23%) 1.13 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
(103%) 1.345 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
(57%) 227 μg |
| Choline |
(11%) 55.1 mg |
| Vitamin C |
(2%) 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin E |
(234%) 35.17 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium |
(8%) 78 mg |
| Iron |
(40%) 5.25 mg |
| Magnesium |
(92%) 325 mg |
| Manganese |
(93%) 1.95 mg |
| Phosphorus |
(94%) 660 mg |
| Potassium |
(14%) 645 mg |
| Sodium |
(1%) 9 mg |
| Zinc |
(53%) 5 mg |
|
| |
| |
|
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database | |
The sunflower seed is the fruit of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The term "sunflower seed" is actually a misnomer when applied to the seed in its pericarp (hull). Botanically speaking, it is a cypsela. When dehulled, the edible remainder is called the sunflower kernel or heart.
There are three types of commonly used sunflower seeds: linoleic (most common), high oleic, and NuSun. Each variety has its own unique levels of monounsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fats. The information in this article refers mainly to the linoleic variety.
For commercial purposes, sunflower seeds are usually classified by the pattern on their husks. If the husk is solid black, the seeds are called black oil sunflower seeds. The crops may be referred to as oilseed sunflower crops. These seeds are usually pressed to extract their oil. Striped sunflower seeds are primarily used for food; as a result, they may be called confectionery sunflower seeds.
Cultivation
| Rank | Country | × 106 t | Country area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ukraine | 8.39 | 603,550 |
| 2 |  Russia | 7.99 | 17,075,400 |
| 3 |  Argentina | 3.34 | 2,780,400 |
| 4 |  China | 2.37 | 9,596,961 |
| 5 |  France | 1.57 | 632,759 |
| 6 |  Romania | 1.40 | 238,391 |
| 7 |  Bulgaria | 1.39 | 110,994 |
| 8 |  Turkey | 1.37 | 783,562 |
| 9 |  Hungary | 1.32 | 93,028 |
| 10 |  United States | 1.26 | 9,629,091 |
| World total | 37.07 | 41,544,136 |
Nutritional value
In a 100 gram serving, dried whole sunflower seeds provide 584 calories as a nutrient-dense food. The seeds are an excellent source (20% or higher of the Daily Value, DV) of protein (42% DV), dietary fiber (36% DV), all B vitamins (23-129% DV) and vitamin E (234% DV). The seeds also contain high levels of the dietary minerals, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron and zinc (40-94% DV).
Half of a 100 gram serving is fat, mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, principally linoleic acid. Additionally, the seeds contain phytosterols which may contribute toward lower levels of blood cholesterol.[2]
Uses
Seeds
| Stereo image | ||
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| Raw sunflower seeds, intended for planting. (stereo image) |
Sunflower seeds are more commonly eaten as a snack than as part of a meal. They can also be used as garnishes or ingredients in various recipes. The seeds may be sold as in-shell seeds or dehulled kernels. The seeds can also be sprouted and eaten in salads.
When in-shell seeds are processed, they are first dried. Afterwards, they may also be roasted or dusted with salt or flour for preservation of flavor. Dehulling is commonly performed by cracking the hull with one's teeth and spitting it out while keeping the kernel in the mouth and eating it.
Sunflower seeds sold by the bag are either eaten "plain" (salted only) or with a variety of flavorings added by the maker including barbecue, pickle, hot sauce, bacon, ranch, and nacho cheese as well as others.
In-shell sunflower seeds are particularly popular in Mediterranean and Asian countries where they can be bought freshly roasted and are a common food, while in many countries, they can be bought freshly packed in various roasted flavors. In the United States, they are commonly eaten by baseball players as an alternative to chewing tobacco.[3]
Dehulled kernels have been mechanically processed to remove the hull. These kernels may be sold raw or roasted. These dehulled kernels are sometimes added to bread and other baked goods for their flavor. There is also sunflower butter, similar to peanut butter, but using sunflower seeds instead of peanuts. Apart from human consumption, sunflower seeds are also used as food for pets and wild birds in boxes and small bags.
Hulls
1. Internal parenchyma
2. Sclerenchyma
3. Phytomelanin layer
4. Epidermis and cuticle
The hulls, or shells, are mostly composed of cellulose. They decompose slowly. They are burned as biomass fuel.[4]
Pressed oil
Over the past decades sunflower oil has become popular worldwide. The oil may be used as is, or may be processed into polyunsaturated margarines. The oil is typically extracted by applying great pressure to the sunflower seeds and collecting the oil. The protein-rich cake remaining after the seeds have been processed for oil is used as a livestock feed.
The original sunflower oil (linoleic sunflower oil) is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (about 68% linoleic acid) and low in saturated fats, such as palmitic acid and stearic acid. However, various hybrids have been developed to alter the fatty acid profile of the crop for various purposes.[5]
Sunflower seed deoiled cakes/meals
Oil extraction from the seeds with or without the hulls result in different types of meals, such as:
- Whole seed expeller meal
- Solvent extracted whole seed meal
- Dehulled solvent extracted meal
Solvent-extracted meals are low in oil content. Defatted meal is used in feed stuffs.
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sunflower seeds. |
References
- ↑ "UN Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database". United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization: Statistics Division.
- ↑ "Sunflower Seeds, Pistachios Among Top Nuts For Lowering Cholesterol". Science Daily. 7 December 2005. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
- ↑ Blount, Roy, Jr. "The Seeds Of Content." Sports Illustrated, 06 Oct. 1980. Web. 07 Oct. 2013.
- ↑ Zabaniotou, A.A; Kantarelis, Theodoropoulos (2008). "Sunflower shells utilization for energetic purposes in an integrated approach of energy crops: Laboratory study pyrolysis and kinetics". Bioresource Technology 99 (8): 3174–3181. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2007.05.060.
- ↑ "National Sunflower Association : Sunflower Oil". Sunflowernsa.com. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
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