Lecithin Sunflower

Abstract

Sunflower lecithin is a promising alternative to soybean lecithin because it is considered the product of a non?genetically modified organism (non-GMO). Lecithin modification under industrial conditions with adequate techniques of analysis may be useful for evaluating the potential applications of these sunflower by-products to the production of new emulsifiers. Regarding fractionation of sunflower lecithin at two absolute-ethanol:water ratios and different pH levels, the highest ethanol concentration in the solvent extraction resulted in an enhancement of the PC fraction yield in the extract obtained at the different pHs studied. The PC-enriched fraction extracted at an absolute-ethanol:water ratio 96:4 vol/vol and a pH 7.5 presented the highest PC/PE ratio. The relative proportion of these two phospholipids was associated with their optimal emulsification properties through their interaction with water and their geometry of assembly at the oil-water interface.