Sunflower

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Sunflower

Sunflower is one of the most valuable agricultural crops. This is the main oilseed crop in our country. It accounts for about 70% of the area under crops of all oilseeds.

Ukraine is the leader in sunflower production and the largest exporter of sunflower oil in the world.

Interesting facts

01

Sunflower comes from the steppe zone of North America to Europe the plants were brought by the Spaniards around 1500 Ukraine during the time of Hetman Razumovsky more than 250 years ago together with pyramidal poplar as an ornamental plant

Interesting facts

02

The scientific name of the sunflower in Latin is Flower of the Sun. Scientifically speaking, seeds are not really seeds, they belong to a class of seeds - edible fruits of flowers in the form of seeds where the fruit inside does not stick to the outer covering.

Interesting facts

03

Sunflower always turns towards the sun this phenomenon is called geotropism. even in cloudy weather the sunflower cap shows where the sun is now relative to the horizon.

SPECIFICATIONS

Sunflower is the main oilseed crop in Ukraine. Seeds of its zoned varieties and hybrids contain 50-52% oil, and breeding ones - up to 60%. Compared to other oilseeds, sunflower yields the highest oil yield per unit area (750 kg/ha on average in Ukraine). Sunflower oil accounts for 98% of total production in Ukraine.

GENERAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The quality requirements for sunflower seeds used for food purposes and for the production of oleic acid are given in the table.

In the case of using sunflower seeds for the production of oil, the index of the mass fraction of the oil is not mandatory for determining the class. The norm was provided for inclusion in the contract for the supply of sunflower seeds to Ukraine for domestic processing enterprises.

Sunflower seeds, regardless of the area of use, must be healthy, without self-heating and heat damage during drying; have an odor characteristic of healthy seeds (without musty, moldy, or other foreign odors); have a normal color in accordance with certain varietal characteristics.

In case of non-compliance of sunflower seeds with the maximum norm in terms of acid number, the oils are used for technical needs (for the production of drying oil, etc.).

Annual sunflower (family Asteraceae) is a plant with a good root system, relatively quickly developing deep into the soil up to 140 cm (and under special conditions - up to 5 meters), and in width - up to 120 cm. The woody stem of the plant is high (reaches in places and 4 meters), covered with hairs. Oval heart-shaped leaves are large, with pointed tips.

Sunflower seeds include an average of 22-27% oil, and the best varieties - 46% or more. One basket, depending on the variety and nature of sunflower care, has from 200 to 7000 seeds.

* By agreement of grain warehouses, other business entities, it is allowed to supply sunflower seeds with moisture content and the content of oil and garbage impurities above the limit, if it is possible to bring such seeds to the quality indicators indicated in the table.

Index

Humidity, %:

no less than

not more than

Marginal rate

for oil production

for
confectionery production

for
oleic acid production

1

3

2

6,0

8,0

Oil impurity, %, not more,

especially germinated seeds

3,0

5,0

7,0

5,0

1,0

2,0

3,0

2,0

Garbage admixture, %, not more,

1,0

2,0

3,0

in particular

spoiled seeds

0,2

0,5

1,0

0,5

1,0

mineral admixture,

pebbles, slag, red in particular

0,3

0,5

0,15

0,3

castor oil seeds

Not allowed

Mass fraction of oil in terms of dry matter, %:

no less than

50,0

45,0

40,0

—

not more than

—

42,0

—

Mass fraction of crude protein in terms of dry matter, %, not less than

—

19,0

—

Mass fraction of oleic acid in oil, %, not less than

—

60,0

Acid number of oil, mg KOH/g, not more

1,3

2,2

5,0

Weight of 1000 seeds, g, not less than

—

70,0

—

Grain pest infestation

Not allowed

Not allowed, except for tick infestation not higher than II degree

GENERAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The quality requirements for sunflower seeds used for food purposes and for the production of oleic acid are given in the table.

In the case of using sunflower seeds for the production of oil, the index of the mass fraction of the oil is not mandatory for determining the class. The norm was provided for inclusion in the contract for the supply of sunflower seeds to Ukraine for domestic processing enterprises.

Sunflower seeds, regardless of the area of use, must be healthy, without self-heating and heat damage during drying; have an odor characteristic of healthy seeds (without musty, moldy, or other foreign odors); have a normal color in accordance with certain varietal characteristics.

In case of non-compliance of sunflower seeds with the maximum norm in terms of acid number, the oils are used for technical needs (for the production of drying oil, etc.).

High-oleic sunflower have a special oil composition: a high content of oleic acid. This indicator turns sunflower oil into an analogue of olive oil, gives it greater antioxidant stability and reduces the pour point.

It is important for agricultural producers to know that the cultivation of just such raw materials allows you to get the best price for your products. Now the best indicator in Ukraine is the content of oleic acid in oil over 82%.

* By agreement of grain warehouses, other business entities, it is allowed to supply sunflower seeds with moisture content and the content of oil and garbage impurities above the limit, if it is possible to bring such seeds to the quality indicators indicated in the table.

Index

Humidity, %:

no less than

not more than

Marginal rate

for oil production

for
confectionery production

for
oleic acid production

1

3

2

6,0

8,0

Oil impurity, %, not more,

especially germinated seeds

3,0

5,0

7,0

5,0

1,0

2,0

3,0

2,0

Garbage admixture, %, not more,

1,0

2,0

3,0

in particular

spoiled seeds

0,2

0,5

1,0

0,5

1,0

mineral admixture,

pebbles, slag, red in particular

0,3

0,5

0,15

0,3

castor oil seeds

Not allowed

Mass fraction of oil in terms of dry matter, %:

no less than

50,0

45,0

40,0

—

not more than

—

42,0

—

Mass fraction of crude protein in terms of dry matter, %, not less than

—

19,0

—

Mass fraction of oleic acid in oil, %, not less than

—

60,0

Acid number of oil, mg KOH/g, not more

1,3

2,2

5,0

Weight of 1000 seeds, g, not less than

—

70,0

—

Grain pest infestation

Not allowed

Not allowed, except for tick infestation not higher than II degree

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