Sunflower is cultivated in temperate climates (temperature
range between 20 and 25 °C). The plant grows better in dry cli-
mates with high solar irradiation and deep soils in which it is able
to develop its long root system. The seeds of sunflower are pro-
duced within an achene and consist of a shell composed mainly
of lignin and cellulose material and the kernel, which accounts
for 80% of the total weight of the seeds and is rich in oil (up to
55% dry weight).
The final oil content of sunflower seeds is usually
around 50% w/w [1]. This oil is rich in linoleic acid, which accounts
from 48% to 74% of the total fatty acids. It contains low levels of
saturated fatty acids (mainly palmitic and stearic acids) and, unlike
other seed oils such as soybean and rapeseed, negligible amounts
of a-linolenic acid. The relative amount of linoleic compared to
oleic acid is very variable and is related to temperature regulation
of endogenous desaturases