Evaluation of the Non Saponifiable Matter of Oils Extracted from Nine Varieties of Sunflower Seeds

ABSTRACT: In this study the non-saponifiable matter of oils extracted from nine varieties of sunflower seed were subjected a series of chemical tests. The non-saponifiable matters were fractionated into a number of chemical classes of compounds namely sterols, 4 methyl sterols, triterpene alcohols, tocopherols and hydrocarbons. The two major and important classes of compounds consisting of sterols and tocopherols were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The results indicated that 1-tocopherol and 2-sitosterol were the predominant tocopherol and sterol respectively. Zaria variety was evaluated as the superior variety in respect of tocopherol concentration and Lacumca variety in respect of sterol concentration. Keywords:Nonsaponifiable Matter, Sunflower, Sterol, Tocopherol.