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What is the application of sunflower oil?

Natural sunflower oil is extracted from oil sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is light in taste and appearance. It also supplies more Vitamin E than any other vegetable oil.  It is a combination of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low saturated fat levels. The versatility of this healthy oil is recognized by cooks internationally.  Sunflower oil is valued for its light taste, frying performance and health benefits.  There are many application of sunflower oil.

sunflower oil refining machine

sunflower oil
Sunflower seed and sunflower oil


Sunflower oil is mainly used in food or technical applications such as cooking oil, for biofuels and cosmetics.  In South Africa sunflower oil is mainly used for cooking purposes in. The population is increasingly concerned about healthy eating habits thus the population has shifted away from the consumption of fatty acids and hydrogenated fats towards more unsaturated fats with the increase in the consumption of vegetable oils and fats.

sunflower oil
High oil yield sunflower oil

In recent years, domestic demand for sunflower oil has increased. Food processors use the oil for frying foods (including potato chips) and in salad and cooking oil, margarine, and dairy substitutes. Sunflower oil is preferred in many high-quality dining establishments for its neutral taste. A small supply of high-oleic oil is used in industrial frying applications where high temperatures require good oxidation stability. A small amount of oil is also used in cosmetics, resins, and lubricants (USDA, 2011).

application of sunflower oil
Application of sunflower oil

Sunflower oil can be divided between linoleic, high-oleic, and mid-oleic sunflower oils. Until recently, linoleic oil was the predominant oil. Linoleic oil must be partially hydrogenated to maintain its stability in various uses, a process that also creates trans fats. Plant breeders began developing mid-oleic seed after research uncovered a link between trans fats and heart disease. Today, the majority of the sunflower oil supply is mid-oleic, which does not require hydrogenation. Mid-oleic oil has no trans fats, low monounsaturated fat, and a neutral taste (USDA, 2011). There will be more application of sunflower oil in the future.

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