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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 #252101
Title: Evaluation of Helianthus porteri Achenes for Oil Concentration and Fatty Acid Composition

Author
item Seiler, Gerald
item Gulya Jr, Thomas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/31/2010
Publication Date: 7/31/2010
Citation: Seiler, G.J., Gulya, T.J. 2010. Evaluation of Helianthus porteri Achenes for Oil Concentration and Fatty Acid Composition [abstract]. Botanical Society of America, July 31-August 4, 2010, Providence, RI. p. 82. Available: http://2010.botanyconference.org/engine/search/index.php?func=detail&aid=84

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Confederate daisy, or Porter's Golden-Eye, Helianthus porteri, formerly known as Viguiera porteri is an annual sunflower that was recently transferred to the genus Helianthus. It is an endemic species that occurs in and around granite outcroppings in the Piedmont regions of North and South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. Interest in using the wild species in sunflower breeding programs has increased, but information about the oil concentration and fatty acid composition is lacking for a number of endemic species. The objective of the study was to evaluate achene oil of H. porteri for oil concentration and fatty acid composition of four major fatty acids: palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), and linoleic (18:2). Oil concentration in achenes of eight H. porteri populations collected in Georgia and North Carolina varied from 269.5 to 318 g/kg, averaging 291 g/kg, which is low compared to 450 g/kg in cultivated sunflower oil. The low oil concentration should not be of concern because it can rapidly be increased by backcrossing with cultivated sunflower. Oleic acid concentration averaged 65.2 g/kg, which is low compared to normal sunflower oil. This was accompanied by a high linoleic acid concentration. The 815 g/kg average linoleic concentration in H. porteri was the highest observed in any wild species, with one population having a concentration of 834 g/kg. The higher linoleic acid concentrations (>700 g/kg) are generally observed at northern latitudes, while lower values are observed at southern latitudes. The concentration of palmitic and stearic acids in H. porteri averaged 55.8 g/kg and 32.1 g/kg, respectively, which is a reduction of 25% compared to commercial sunflower oil. The lower saturated fatty acid profile has the potential to reduce saturated fatty acids in commercial sunflower oil. Further research will be needed to determine the inheritance of the fatty acid composition.