Lipid of sunflower seeds produced in japan

The fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of sunflower seeds from experimental plantings in Japan were determined. Lipid content of sunflower seed was almost the same irrespective of the variety and the average lipid content was 38.8%. The saturated fatty acids were low and the combined percentage of linoleic acid and oleic acid was ca. 90%. The ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid largely varied with the planting location and date. There was a strong correlation between the percentage of linoleic acid or oleic acid and the temperature during maturation of seed. The sunflower seed contained predominantly α-tocopherol and small amounts ofβ-,γ- and δ-tocopherol. There was no correlation between a-tocopherol content and the percentage of linoleic acid.