Ingredient: Sunflower oil
Category: Oils
Season: All
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:
There are several types of sunflower oils produced, such as high linoleic, high oleic and mid oleic.
High linoleic sunflower oil typically has at least 69% linoleic acid.
High oleic sunflower oil has at least 82% oleic acid.
Variation in fatty acid profile is strongly influenced by both genetics and climate.
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 mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels.
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.
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.
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 Kettle Chips, Sun Chips, Sunflower Chips, Ruffles, Walkers and Lay's potato chips; the recipe of the latter was modified in late 2006 in order to include the oil.
Sunflower oil as skin protection
Sunflower oil may also have suggested skin-health benefits.
Sunflower oil, like other oils, can retain moisture in the skin.
However, it may also provide a protective barrier that resists infection.
Studies using sunflower oil have been conducted involving pre-term infants that are often susceptible to infection due to their underdeveloped skin. Research suggests that pre-term infants with low birth weight can benefit from sunflower oil skin treatments. Infections decreased by 41% in infants that received a daily skin treatment of sunflower oil. The sunflower oil provided a protective barrier against infection that was not otherwise present on the infant.
|