A sunflower can be 4m high and could have 2000 seeds. Every seed contains at his turn 30-45% oil. Sunflower oil is particularly rich in linoleic acid (omega 6) but contains almost no linolenic acid. It is best suited for use at low temperatures e.g. in mayonnaise and dressings or as a salad oil but is heat resistant and thus suitable for frying as well.

A special variety, High Oleic Sunflower oil, with a completely different fatty acid composition has been developed through conventional plant breeding techniques. HO Sunflower has only 5% polyunsaturated fatty acids and >80% of oleic acid (omega 9). The oil is used in applications with special demands on oxidation stability.