View source for Sunflower seed

{{Short description|Seed of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Redirect|Sunflower seeds|other uses|Sunflower Seeds (disambiguation){{!}}Sunflower Seeds}}
[[File:Sunflower Seeds Kaldari.jpg|thumb|right|Left: dehulled kernel. Right: whole seed with [[Husk|hull]].]]
[[File:Whole Sunflower seed.jpg|thumb|Whole sunflower seeds]]

A '''sunflower seed''' is a seed from a [[sunflower]] (''[[Helianthus]] annuus''). There are three types of commonly used sunflower seeds: [[Linoleic acid|linoleic]] (most common), [[Oleic acid|high oleic]], and [[sunflower oil]] seeds. Each variety has its own unique levels of monounsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fats. The information in this article refers mainly to the linoleic variety.

For commercial purposes, sunflower seeds are usually classified by the pattern on their husks. If the husk is solid black, the seeds are called black oil sunflower seeds.  The crops may be referred to as oilseed sunflower crops. These seeds are usually pressed to extract their oil. Striped sunflower seeds are primarily eaten as a snack food; as a result, they may be called confectionery sunflower seeds.

The term "sunflower seed" is a [[misnomer]] when applied to the seed in its [[pericarp]] (hull). Botanically speaking, it is a [[Asteraceae#Fruits and seeds|cypsela]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Marzinek|first1=Juliana|last2=De-Paula|first2=Orlando Cavalari|last3=Oliveira|first3=Denise Maria Trombert|date=September 2008|title=Cypsela or achene? Refining terminology by considering anatomical and historical factors|journal=Revista Brasileira de Botânica|language=en|volume=31|issue=3|pages=549–553|doi=10.1590/S0100-84042008000300018|issn=0100-8404|doi-access=free|hdl=11449/28034|hdl-access=free}}</ref> When dehulled, the edible remainder is called the sunflower kernel or heart.

==Production==
{{owidslider
|start        = 2023
|list         = Template:OWID/sunflower seed production#gallery
|location      = commons
|caption      =
|title        =
|language     =
|file         = [[File:sunflower seed production, World, 2023 (cropped).svg|link=|thumb|upright=1.6|Sunflower seed production]]
|startingView = World
}}

{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable floatright col2right"
|+ Sunflower seed production – 2022<br> (millions of [[tonne]]s)
|-
| {{RUS}} || |{{center| 16.4}}
|-
| {{UKR}} || |{{center| 11.3}}
|-
| {{ARG}} || |{{center| 4.1}}
|-
| {{CHN}} || |{{center| 2.9}}
|-
| {{TUR}} || |{{center| 2.6}}
|-
| {{BUL}} || |{{center| 2.1}}
|-
| {{ROM}} || |{{center| 2.1}}
|-
| {{FRA}} || |{{center| 1.8}}
|-
| {{KAZ}} || |{{center| 1.3}}
|-
| {{HUN}} || |{{center| 1.3}}
|-
|{{center| '''World total''' }}|| |{{center| '''54.3'''}}
|-
| colspan="2" |<small>Source: [[FAOSTAT]]<br> of the [[United Nations]]<ref name="faostat">{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC|title=Sunflower seed production in 2022, Crops/Regions/World list/Production Quantity/Year (pick lists)|date=2024|publisher=UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT)|access-date=10 June 2024}}</ref></small>
|}

In 2022, global production of sunflower seeds added up to 54 million [[tonne]]s, led by [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] with 51% of the world total combined (table). [[Argentina]], [[China]], [[Turkey]], [[Bulgaria]], and [[Romania]] also contributed significant volumes.

==Usage==
{{nutritional value
| name=Sunflower seed kernels, dried
| kJ=2445
| water=4.7 g
| protein=20.78 g
| fat=51.46 g
| satfat=4.455 g
| monofat=18.528 g
| polyfat=23.137 g
| carbs=20 g
| fiber=8.6 g
| sugars=2.62 g
| calcium_mg=78
| iron_mg=5.25
| magnesium_mg=325
| phosphorus_mg=660
| potassium_mg=645
| sodium_mg=9
| zinc_mg=5
| manganese_mg=1.95
| copper_mg=1.8
| vitC_mg=1.4
| thiamin_mg=1.48
| riboflavin_mg=0.355
| niacin_mg=8.335
| pantothenic_mg=1.13
| vitB6_mg=1.345
| folate_ug=227
| choline_mg=55.1
| vitE_mg=35.17
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/170562/nutrients Link to USDA database entry]
}}

Sunflower seeds are commonly eaten as a snack, but can also be consumed as part of a meal. They can be used as garnishes or ingredients in various recipes. The seeds may be sold as in-shell seeds or dehulled kernels or be [[Sprouting|sprouted]] and eaten in [[salad]]s.

When in-shell seeds are processed, they are first dried. Afterwards, they may be roasted or dusted with salt or flour for the preservation of flavor.

Sunflower seeds sold by the bag are either eaten plain, salted (sometimes called 'plain') or with flavoring added by the manufacturer. Flavor examples include barbecue, pickle, hot sauce, bacon, ranch, and nacho cheese.

In-shell, sunflower seeds are particularly popular in [[Mediterranean]], Eastern European, and Asian countries where they can be bought freshly [[roasted]] and are commonly consumed as street food, the hull being cracked open with the teeth and spat out, while in many countries, they can be bought freshly packed in various roasted flavors. In the United States, they are commonly eaten by baseball players as an alternative to [[chewing tobacco]].<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Blount | first = Roy | name-list-style = vanc | title = The Seeds of Content | magazine = Sports Illustrated | date = 6 October 1980 | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1123821/index.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130509051838/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1123821/index.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 9 May 2013 }}</ref>

Mechanically dehulled kernels are sold raw or roasted and are sometimes added to bread and other baked goods for their flavor. Sunflower seed [[Brittle (food)|brittle]] is produced by embedding the kernels in hard sugar candy. In Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania, roasted ground seeds are used to make a type of [[halva]]. 

[[Sunflower butter]] is similar to [[peanut butter]], but made from sunflower seeds instead of peanuts, and may be a substitute for those with nut allergies. However, sunflower seeds may also  cause allergies in rare cases.<ref name="Ukl">{{cite journal | last1=Ukleja-Sokołowska | first1=Natalia | last2=Gawrońska-Ukleja | first2=Ewa | last3=Żbikowska-Gotz | first3=Magdalena | last4=Bartuzi | first4=Zbigniew | last5=Sokołowski | first5=Łukasz | title=Sunflower seed allergy | journal=International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology| volume=29 | issue=3 | date=2016-07-07 | issn=2058-7384 | doi=10.1177/0394632016651648 | pages=498–503|pmid=27222528 |pmc=5806758}}</ref>

Sunflower seeds are commonly used as food for pets, typically being included in birdseed mix for [[bird feeder]]s.

===Nutrition===

Dried sunflower seeds are 5% water, 20% [[carbohydrate]]s, 51% [[fat]], and 21% [[Protein (nutrient)|protein]] (table). In a reference amount of {{cvt|100|g}}, sunflower seeds provide 584 [[kilocalories]] of [[food energy]], and are a rich source (20% or higher of the [[Daily Value]], DV) of protein (42% DV), [[dietary fiber]] (36% DV), several [[B vitamins]] (23–129% DV), and [[vitamin E]] (234% DV) (table). The seeds contain high levels of [[dietary minerals]], including [[potassium in biology|potassium]], [[magnesium in biology|magnesium]], [[manganese in biology|manganese]], [[phosphorus in biology|phosphorus]], [[iron in biology|iron]], [[zinc in biology|zinc]], and [[copper in biology|copper]] (22–200% DV, table).

Half of the weight of sunflower seeds is fat, mainly [[monounsaturated]] and [[polyunsaturated]] fats, principally [[linoleic acid]]. Additionally, the seeds contain [[phytosterol]]s which may contribute toward lower levels of [[blood cholesterol]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051207181227.htm |title=Sunflower Seeds, Pistachios Among Top Nuts For Lowering Cholesterol |website=ScienceDaily |date=7 December 2005 |access-date=2011-03-27}}</ref>

===Pressed oil===
{{main|Sunflower oil}}
Sunflower oil is popular worldwide. The oil may be used as is, or may be processed into polyunsaturated [[margarine]]s. The oil is typically extracted by applying high pressure to the sunflower seeds and collecting the oil. The [[protein]]-rich cake remaining after the seeds have been processed for oil is used as livestock feed.

The original sunflower oil (linoleic sunflower oil) is high in polyunsaturated [[fatty acid]]s (about 68% [[linoleic acid]]) and low in saturated fats, such as [[palmitic acid]] and [[stearic acid]]. However, various [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s have been developed to alter the fatty acid profile of the crop for various purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunflowernsa.com/oil/default.asp?contentID=145 |title=National Sunflower Association : Sunflower Oil |publisher=Sunflowernsa.com |access-date=2011-03-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fsi.colostate.edu/sunflower-seeds-draft/|title=Sunflower Seeds and Oil {{!}} Food Source Information|website=fsi.colostate.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref>

==Hulls==
The hulls, or shells, mostly composed of [[cellulose]], decompose slowly and may be burned as [[biomass]] fuel.<ref name=seed-biomass>{{cite journal | vauthors = Zabaniotou AA, Kantarelis EK, Theodoropoulos DC | title = Sunflower shells utilization for energetic purposes in an integrated approach of energy crops: laboratory study pyrolysis and kinetics | journal = Bioresource Technology | volume = 99 | issue = 8 | pages = 3174–81 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 17651967 | doi = 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.05.060 | bibcode = 2008BiTec..99.3174Z | url = http://www.technologia.gda.pl/dydaktyka/index/s/easm_tos/pdf/Seminarium_4A.pdf | access-date = 13 March 2019 | archive-date = 7 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200807145402/http://www.technologia.gda.pl/dydaktyka/index/s/easm_tos/pdf/Seminarium_4A.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref> Sunflower hulls of the cultivated sunflower (''[[Helianthus annuus]]'') contain [[allelopathic]] compounds which are toxic to grasses and the vast majority of cultivated garden plants.<ref name="auto">{{cite journal | doi = 10.1007/BF02381723 | title = Weed control using allelopathic sunflowers and herbicide | journal = Plant and Soil | volume = 98 | pages = 17–23 | year = 1987 | vauthors = Leather GR | issue = 1 | bibcode = 1987PlSoi..98...17L | s2cid = 991370 | url = https://zenodo.org/record/1232536 }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite journal | journal = Allelopathy Journal | volume =23 |issue=1 |date=2009 | url=http://web.a.ebscohost.com/abstract?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=09714693&AN=41527054&h=zxcFsPZ3%2ffS2EMvdiSznqVnhoskpXagzYSjWUsfnsi8R3z6J2ksP%2baT27FdhdCjiG9AE38ivDgdrl0yL3E3HrA%3d%3d&crl=c&resultNs=AdminWebAuth&resultLocal=ErrCrlNotAuth&crlhashurl=login.aspx%3fdirect%3dtrue%26profile%3dehost%26scope%3dsite%26authtype%3dcrawler%26jrnl%3d09714693%26AN%3d41527054 | title = Allelopathic potential of sunflower. I. Effects of genotypes, organs and biomass partitioning | vauthors = Ciarka D, Gawronska H, Szawlowska U, Gawronski SW | pages = 95–109}}</ref> Only a small number of garden plants, such as [[Daylily|day lilies]], are unaffected by the allelopathic compounds found in sunflower hulls.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>

== See also ==
* [[List of edible seeds]]
* [[David Sunflower Seeds]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline |Sunflower seeds}}

{{Agriculture country lists|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Bird feeding]]
[[Category:Crops originating from the Americas]]
[[Category:Crops originating from the United States]]
[[Category:Edible fruits]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Snack foods]]
[[Category:Plants used in Native American cuisine]]