Prediction of mechanical extraction oil yield of new sunflower hybrids: artificial neural network model

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sunflower seeds are in the top five most abundant oilseeds in the world, as well as sunflower oil in the edible oils group. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to cold-pressed sunflower oil because less processing is involved and no solvent is used. The present study was carried out to investigate dimensions (length, width, thickness), firmness, general (moisture content and hull content, mass of 1000 seeds), gravimetric (true and bulk density, porosity) and geometric characteristics (equivalent diameter, surface area, seed volume, sphericity) of 20 new sunflower hybrid seeds. Steps to determine most of these parameters are quite simple and easy since the process does not require long time or special equipment.RESULTS: Principal component analysis and cluster analysis confirmed differences in the mentioned characteristics between oily and confectionary sunflower hybrid seeds. One of the major differences between two groups of samples was in extraction oil yield. Mechanical extraction oil yield of the oily hybrid seeds was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (from 68.72 ± 4.21% to 75.61 ± 1.99%) compared to confectionary hybrids (from 20.10 ± 2.82% to 39.91 ± 6.23%). Extraction oil yield values are known only after oil extraction. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the extraction oil yield value before the mechanical extraction enables better management of the process. By application of the artificial neural network approach, an optimal neural network model was developed. The developed model showed a good generalization capability to predict the mechanical extraction oil yield of new sunflower hybrids based on the experimental data, which was a main goal of this paper.

Investigation of oxidative characteristics, fatty acid composition and bioactive compounds content in cold pressed oils of sunflower grown in Serbia and Argentina

“…The adaptability of the examined hybrids growing conditions on the territory of Argentina was investigated, through minor components and oxidative stability. Growth conditions, seed preparation for cold pressing, as well as cold pressing conditions and obtained oil treatment were described by Lužaić et al [ 48 ] and Lužaić et al [ 49 ] This oil extraction method was chosen because of the minimal impact on the fatty acids composition and the bioactive compounds content.…”

Properties and Characterization of Sunflower Seeds from Different Varieties of Edible and Oil Sunflower Seeds

“…This study aimed to comprehensively compare and analyze the raw material characteristics, basic physicochemical properties, and processing characteristics of eight sunflower seeds (four edible and four oil sunflower seeds) and the correlation between these parameters. The macroscopic and microscopic differences in the raw materials of different varieties of sunflower seeds, the fatty acid composition of sunflower seed oil, the amino acid composition of meal protein, and the basic structure and functional characteristics of meal protein were compared and discussed simultaneously [19]. A proper understanding of the differences and correlations between different uses and varieties of sunflower seeds can offer valuable insights for the application of sunflower seeds in raw material screening and food processing.…”