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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Sunflower and Plant Biology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130854
Title: EFFECT OF MATURITY AND ACHENE LOCATION ON FATTY ACID COMPOSITION

Author
item LARSON, T - NDSU
item JOHNSON, B - NDSU
item Vick, Brady

Submitted to: Proceedings Sunflower Research Workshop
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2002
Publication Date: 2/1/2002
Citation: LARSON, T.D., JOHNSON, B.L., VICK, B.A. EFFECT OF MATURITY AND ACHENE LOCATION ON FATTY ACID COMPOSITION. PROCEEDINGS SUNFLOWER RESEARCH WORKSHOP. 2002. P. 176-181.

Interpretive Summary: The objectives of this study were to determine how the oil composition of NuSun and traditional high-linoleic acid sunflowers were affected by maturity and seed position within the sunflower head, and to determine whether chemical desiccation affects the fatty acid composition. Our fatty acid composition results showed that the inner zone of the sunflower head had the lowest percentage of oleic acid. The data also showed that there were significant differences in oleic acid levels between the desiccated and nondesiccated plants. Oleic acid levels in desiccated sunflower remained at a higher level through later harvest dates than oleic acid levels in nondesiccated plants. The effect of chemical desiccation on the oleic acid level in NuSun hybrids may be a factor for consideration by a producer when deciding whether chemical desiccation will be used.

Technical Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine how the oil composition of NuSun and traditional high-linoleic acid sunflowers were affected by maturity and achene position within the capitulum, and to determine whether chemical desiccation affects the fatty acid composition. Our fatty acid composition results showed that the inner zone had the lowest percentage of oleic acid. The data also showed that there were significant differences in oleic acid levels between the desiccated and nondesiccated plants. Oleic acid levels in desiccated sunflower remained at a higher level through later harvest dates than oleic acid levels in nondesiccated plants. Desiccation with paraquat appears to reduce the activity of the desaturase enzyme which converts oleic acid to linoleic acid. The effect of chemical desiccation on the oleic acid level in NuSun hybrids may be a factor for consideration by a producer when deciding whether chemical desiccation will be used.