Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria

The quantity and quality of sunflower oil are key factors for the crushing industry. This research presents a comprehensive analysis of the oil quality parameters of seven foreign sunflower hybrids grown in Morocco. Conducted over two consecutive years (2018 and 2019), the study focuses on key traits, including oil content, acidity index, peroxide index, refractive index, color index, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. Significant variations in most parameters, including color properties, were observed between the two years and among the seven varieties, indicating the influence of genetic and environmental factors. This highlights the importance of understanding the genetic potential of sunflower hybrids and the impact of environmental variables on oil quality. More favorable weather conditions in 2019, compared to 2018, contributed to better oil quality in all the varieties investigated. Overall, four homogeneous groups of hybrid varieties were identified based on oil content and other biochemical parameters. Some of these hy­brids, like ‘Niagara’, had moderate oil content but high polyphenol content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity, as well as a lower peroxide index, making them potential sources of natural antioxidant compounds as well as dietary supplements. Overall, this research provides sunflower breeders with valuable insights into the development of new high-performing hybrids with enhanced oil quality that could be used to produce functional foods with health benefits. These findings have implications for the use of seed oils from those hy­brids in various industries and underscore the importance of further and more in-depth research on sunflower oil quality in the context of climate change.