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The Importance of Biodegradable Bio-Oil - : Sunflower
The Importance of Biodegradable Bio-Oil - : Sunflower
Introduction
Healthy natural sunflower oil is produced from oil type sunflower
seeds.It is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower (Helianthus
annus) seeds of asteraceae family. The sunflower oil is interesting
by its content in linoleic acid. Sunflower oil is light in taste and
appearance and supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable
oil. It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
with low saturated fat levels. Sunflower oil is high in the essential
vitamin E and low in saturated fat 1 It has been shown to have
cardiovascular benefits. It is used in food industry (dressings,
seasoning, frying and other preparations). In the cosmetic industry,
it is recognized for its hydrating and restructuring functions. In
pharmacy it is used for the treatment of cholesterol and
atherosclerosis.
Types: cooking oil and salad oil with a light, clean taste, high
There are two types of sunflower oil available smoke point and low level of saturated fat2.
· Linoleic Sunflower oil
· high oleic sunflower oil High oleic sunflower oil is premium sunflower oil
All are developed with standard breeding techniques. with monounsaturated levels of 80% and above. It is
They differ in oleic levels and each one offers unique used in food and industrial applications where high
properties. monounsaturated levels are required.
Linoleic sunflower oil has a high content of essential Variation in unsaturated fatty acids profile is strongly
fatty acids like linoleic acid .It is an excellent home influenced by both genetics and climate.
N.Kanaka Durga Devi et al /Int.J. PharmTech Res.2010,2(3) 1914
Composition: Sunflower oil contains predominantly fat may be used for (for instance, deep frying is a very
linoleic acid in triglyceride form. The British high-temperature process and requires a fat with a high
Pharmacopoeia lists the following profile: smoke point). Beyond the smoke point is the flash
· Palmitic acid : 4 - 9%, point, the point at which combustion occurs.
· Stearic acid : 1 - 7%,
· Oleic acid :14 - 40%,
Smoke point 232 °C 450 °F
· Linoleic acid: 48 - 74%.
(refined)
Sunflower oil also contains lecithin, tocopherols,
Smoke point 227 °C 440 °F
carotenoids, and waxes. It has a high Vitamin E
(unrefined)
content. It is a combination of mono-unsaturated and
Density (25 ºC) 917 kg/m3
polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels.
Refractive index ≈1.473
Physical properties: (25 ºC)
Sunflower oil is liquid at room temperature. The
refined oil is clear and slightly amber-colored with a Traditional healthy cultural diet:
slightly fatty odor. Sunflower oil is light in taste and There are many different traditionally healthy cultural
appearance. diets. These traditionally healthy cultural diets have
several things in common, such as the emphasis on
Smoke point: plenty of grain products, fruits, and vegetables. In
The smoke point refers to the temperature at which a addition, many cultures consume largely plant-based
cooking fat or oil begins to break down. The substance diets. Many cultural diets also distinguish between
smokes or burns, and gives food an unpleasant taste. healthy fats from plant based sources, such as
Smoke point gives the information about the vegetable oils, sunflower seeds, nuts, and olives,
temperatures and therefore what purposes a particular versus cholesterol-raising fats from animal sources 3.
Health benefits: ideal for use in cosmetics and other colored products.
Sunflower oil is very high in polyunsaturated fat. One of its main benefits as a skin care solution is its
sunflower oil fatty acid composition ranges between ability to help the skin retain moisture. Millions of
64 and 68 percent. From a nutritional standpoint, this people either apply it directly onto their skin, or use
is desirable, because polyunsaturates are the source of cosmetic products that contain sunflower oil, to avoid
essential fatty acids necessary for the production of excess dryness. It is also used in the manufacture of
prostaglandins. Prostaglandins play major roles in soaps as it creates stable lather in soap. Of the 3 types,
protecting the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune only high oleic oil can be used effectively in cosmetic
and central nervous systems. Without enough formulations. Linoleic oil lack the necessary shelf life
prostaglandins, we are vulnerable to a variety of to be used in most skin care products.
disease conditions, including arthritis and allergies4.
Restaurant and food industry uses
Improves Cardiovascular System Restaurants and food manufacturers are becoming
It has become increasingly clear that sunflower oil is aware of the health benefits of sunflower oil. The oil
healthy for our cardiovascular system. It contains can be used in conditions with extremely high cooking
ample amounts of vitamin E and high levels of the temperatures. It may also help food stay fresher and
essential fatty acids (or, polyunsaturated fats) which healthier for longer periods of time . Food
our body needs. These essential fatty acids cannot be manufacturers are starting to use sunflower oil in an
produced from within our bodies. They must be effort to lower the levels of trans fat in mass produced
derived from our diet. The reason we need these foods. A number of common snack foods contain
polyunsaturated fats is because they tend to lower our sunflower oil.
cholesterol levels. By reducing our cholesterol, we
lessen the likelihood of developing heart disease5. Conclusion:
Natural sunflower oil is good for health as it possess
Sun flower oil as emollient: many health benefits. Hence, it is healthy choice for
Sunflower oil has been used as an ingredient in cooking. Sunflower oil is an odorless oil, which
cosmetic products for years because of its emollient benefits its use in fragrance, aromatherapy and
action. Sunflower oil is almost colorless, making it massage oil products also.
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