The properties of sunflower seeds were assessed for the three
different hybrids. Results of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis,
and lower heating value (LHV) determination are reported in
Table 1. Similar values were obtained for the two high-oleic hybrids
(H31 and H41). Compared to the high-oleic hybrids, Coralia seeds
exhibited a lower volatile matter (VM) content, a higher fixed
carbon (FC) content, and a smaller LHV (Table 1). These results may
well be related to the lower oil content of Coralia seeds (Table 2).
The seeds were delivered to the processing facility, which was
likely to resemble a small plant with a limited production capacity
located in the proximity of the productionfield. The seeds were fed
to the pressing machine to produce oil and press cake. Moisture
was released during the pressing.Table 3reports the mass yieldsachieved for the three varieties. The oil yields of the two high oleic
hybrids (H31 and H41) were very similar (around 35% by weight),
and remarkably higher than the conventional hybrid (Coralia).
Conversely the cake yield of Coralia was higher than H31 and H41.
These results are not surprising on the basis of the data ofTable 2:
the oil content of H31 and H41 was nearly 10% higher than Coralia.
Table 2shows the oil extraction efficiency for the three varieties
which was defined as the ratio of oil extracted to the oil content of
the seeds. The extraction efficiency was very similar for H31 (77.4%)
and H41 (77.8%), and these values were slightly higher than the
extraction efficiency calculated for Coralia (73.0%). Despite the wide
discrepancy in the oil content of the seeds, the three cakes
exhibited similar values of residual oil (seeTable 2), thus the oil
content in the cake is likely to be a parameter related to the operating conditions of the press rather than to the seed properties.
Several oil properties were assessed for the three different varieties. Specifically, the potential use of sunflower oil as biofuel was
evaluated