CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BRAZILIAN SUNFLOWER VARIETIES

SUMMARY Sunflower is the world fourth most important source of edible oil, after palm oil, soybean and rapeseed/canola. Sunflower acreage in Brazil has been consolidated due to the constant efforts in genetic and agronomical studies carried out by Brazilian research institutions. Although easily adapted to many Brazilian regions, genetic and agronomical improvements were needed so that economically viable crops could be harvested. Sunflower varieties with interesting oil composition as well as noteworthy protein quality were obtained. As part of these efforts, two new varieties were developed by Embrapa Soybean, Embrapa 122 V2000 and Embrapa F2 BRS 191. This work was aimed at evaluating the chemical composition of the seeds, defatted meal and oil quality of these varieties. The oil content varied from 44 to 52% in F2 BRS and from 36 to 47% in E 122. Linoleic (62-69%) and oleic (20-25%) were the major fatty acids in both varieties. The protein content of the defatted meal ranged from 28 to 32%. Slight differences were observed in amino acids profile, sterols and chlorogenic acid content.