Bioactive Phytochemicals from Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Oil Processing By-products

Abstract

Sunflower is an oilseed cultivated worldwide as an essential source for oil production. After processing, large amounts of waste are generated. Oil processing byproducts contribute to increased food waste and negative environmental impacts, primarily when not used properly. Press processing generates about 75% of total waste, while chemical extraction, using solvents, produces about 60% of solid waste (which can represent up to 18 million tons of waste/year worldwide depending on the direction of the raw material). Due to its chemical composition, a large part of waste can be directed to animal feed production and used directly in food preparations or extraction of bioactive components due to the nutritional characteristics of the waste. The byproduct generated from oil processing has a high concentration of components of interest, including proteins (40–50 g 100 g−1), fiber (14–17 g 100 g−1), lipid (~3.0 g 100 g−1), and ash (~5.0 g 100 g−1). The byproducts contain high levels of bioactive phytochemicals, including phenolic compounds and other molecules with biological potential such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and chemopreventive properties. This chapter provides an overview of the main components, including phytochemical components, found in sunflower oil processing byproducts to provide information and increase the utilization, especially in food products.