The sunflower seed is the fruit of the sunflower. The sunflower (helianthus annuus) is an annual plant that possesses a large flowering head, commonly called the “flower”, although in fact, it is numerous florets crowded together. The florets inside the circular head mature into seeds.
To grow best, sunflowers need full sun and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. The harvest is done mechanically, using machines called combines. These machines clip the heads of the sunflowers and separate the seeds from the unwanted matter. Once collected, sunflower seeds are taken to the processing plant for cleaning, mechanical hulling if desired, and packaging.
Sunflower kernels are a cost-efficient way to add taste, texture and eye appeal to a variety of bakery products and snack selections. Sunflower seeds in shell are an increasingly popular and nutritious snacking choice around the world, both raw and roasted and salted. Another well-known application is sunflower oil, used for cooking due to its lightness compared to olive oil.
Common Packing For Container Shipment
| Products | Packing | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Sunflower Seed Kernels | 25 Kg Bags | 480 bags in 20’FCL 960 Bags in 40’FCL |
Origin of Sunflower Seeds with production
Specification
| Properties | Values & Limits |
|---|---|
| Physical State | Seeds |
| Color | Off white-light gray |
| Taste | Cool, sweet, typical nutmeat flavor |
| Odor | Free from foreign odors |
| Seed Count | 650/oz. |
| Purity | 99.98%-99.99% Typical |
| Moisture | 4.0-8.0% |
| Ash | 2.0-5.0% |
| Broken Kernels | <15% |
| Kernels Covered by Shell | <10 Pieces/lb |
| Salmonella | Negative |
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 100gm
- Amounts per servings
-
Calories 584
- % Daily Values*
-
Total Fat 51 g78%
-
Saturated fat 4.5 g22%
-
Polyunsaturated fat 23 g
-
Monounsaturated fat 19 g
-
Cholesterol 0 mg0%
-
Sodium 9 mg0%
-
Potassium 645 mg18%
-
Total Carbohydrate 20 g6%
-
Dietary fiber 9 g36%
-
Sugar 2.6 g
-
Protein 21 g42%
-
Vitamin A1%Vitamin C2%
-
Calcium7%Iron29%
-
Vitamin D0%Vitamin B-665%
-
Vitamin B-120%Magnesium81%
- *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet.
Facts on Sunflower Seeds
- Delicious, nutty, and crunchy sunflower seeds are widely considered as healthful foods. They are high in energy; 100 g seeds hold about 584 calories. Nonetheless, they are one of the incredible sources of health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins.
- Much of their calories come from fatty acids. The seeds are especially rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid, which constitutes more 50% fatty acids in them. They are also good in mono-unsaturated oleic acid that helps lower LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increases HDL or “good cholesterol” in the blood. Research studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet which is rich in monounsaturated fats help to prevent coronary artery disease, and stroke by favoring healthy serum lipid profile.
- Like in other seeds and nuts, sunflower also are an excellent source of proteins loaded with fine quality amino acids such as tryptophan that are essential for growth, especially in children. Just 100 g of seeds provide about 21 g of protein (37% of daily-recommended values).
- Also, sunflower seeds contain health benefiting polyphenol compounds such as chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acids. These compounds are natural anti-oxidants, which help remove harmful oxidant molecules from the body. Further, chlorogenic acid helps reduce blood sugar levels by limiting glycogen breakdown in the liver.
- Further, the seeds are indeed a very rich source of vitamin-E; contain about 35.17 g per 100 g (about 234% of RDA). Vitamin-E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals.
- Sunflower kernels are one of the finest sources of the B-complex group of vitamins. They are very good sources of B-complex vitamins such as niacin, folic acid, thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), pantothenic acid, and riboflavin.
- Sunflowers are incredible sources of folic acid. 100 g of kernels contains 227 µg of folic acid, which is about 37% of recommended daily intake. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis. When given in anticipant mothers during the peri-conceptional period, it may prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
- Niacin and pyridoxine are other B-complex vitamins found abundantly in the sunflower seeds. About 8.35 mg or 52% of daily required levels of niacin is provided by just 100 g of seeds. Niacin helps reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Besides, it enhances GABA activity inside the brain, which in turn helps reduce anxiety and neurosis.
- The seeds are incredibly rich sources of many essential minerals. Calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and copper are especially concentrated in sunflower seeds. Many of these minerals play a vital role in bone mineralization, red blood cell production, enzyme secretion, hormone production, as well as in the regulation of cardiac and skeletal muscle activities.
