Sunflower heads

To date, the structural features of pectic polysaccharides and plant cell walls have been studied extensively using chemical analysis and enzymatic degradation. In addition, research on isolation and physicochemical characterisation of pectin from citrus peels, apple peels, sunflower head residues and sugar beet pulp has been reported (2). However, the pectic polysaccharides extracted from wheat straw have only previously been reported by Przeszlakowska (3). The author extracted 0.44% pectic substances from Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. 

Characteristics of fraction I. The carbohydrate content of Fraction I was 84.4 %, in which the main component is D-galacturonic acid (71 %). Consequently, the polysaccharide is of a pectic type. The neutral sugars accounted for 13.4 % and according to their qualitative composition (Table 2) they correspond to the composition of pectin, isolated from sunflower heads (18). It is worth noting the high content of L-arabinose and D-galactose, compared with the other monosaccharides. The protein content was 7.8 %. 

Sunflower head residues are one of the richest sources of low-methoxyl pectin, their most important property being the ability to form gels, if correct proportions of divalent ions (usually calcium) are available. 

Alarcao-Silva, M. L. Characterization of a pectin from sunflower head residues. Acta Alimentaria, 19, 1 (1990) 19-26. 

Chang, K.C. Miyamoto, A. Gelling characteristics of pectin from sunflower head residues. J. Food Sci., 57(1992)1435-1443. 

Leitao, M. C. A. Alarcao-Silva, M. L. Januario, M. I. N. Azinheira, H. G. Galacturonic acid in pectic substances of sunflower head residues quantitative determination by HPLC. Carbohydr. Polym.,26(1995)165-169. 

Prats, E., Bazzalo, M.E., Leon, A. and Jorrin, J.V. (2006) Fungitoxic effect of scopolin and related coumarins on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A way to overcome sunflower head rot. Euphytica, 147, 451-60. 

Sosulski, F., Lin, M.J.Y. and Humbert, E.S. 1978. Gelatin characteristics of acid-precipitated pectin from sunflower heads, J. Can. Inst. Food Sci. Technol., 11(3) 113-116. 

Paraquat Desiccant Backside of sunflower heads are yellow and bracts turning brown seed moisture content < 35%... 

Until the parallel between number and cosmos is demonstrated to be an illusion we shall use this idea to model the universe. The power of this approach lies therein that all regularities in the physical world can be reduced to the same mathematical rules as the commensurable relationships in the solar system. The same mathematics that optimizes the distribution of matter in spiral galaxies and solar systems, shapes the growth of nautilus shells and sunflower heads. This ubiquitous symmetry, known as self-similarity is... 

Unger, P. W. and Thompson, T. E. 1982. Planting date effects on sunflower head and seed development. Agronomy Journal 74 389-395. 

A polysaccharide contg. linear chains of (1 4)-linked a-D-galacturonic acid residues. Isol. as a subfraction of pectic acid preparations. Found as the major acidic polysaccharide in pectic complexes of sunflower heads. Occurs in pear juice (Pyrus communis), partly esterified. 

Berding, C. Haken, H. Harbich, T. 1983. A Prepattern Formation Mechanism for the Spiral Type Patterns of the Sunflower Head, J. Theor. Biol. 104, 53-57. 

Wicsenbom, D.P Wang, J Chang, K.C Schwarz, J.G. Comparison of continuous and batch processes for pectin extration from sunflower heads. Insdustrial crops and Products, v.l9,p.l71-181, 1999. 

Industrial wastes have been evaluated outside the food industry. In 2013, pectin from sisal Agave sisaiana) waste [85] was extracted. Sisal is widely used for the production of hard fibers. Through an aqueous extraction, yields were obtained in the range of 4.61% to 19.2%, these values are above some other noncommercial sources of pectin as sunflower heads, banana peel, and mango peel. Pectin isolated had a 50% DE. The environment-friendly extraction method and the quite acceptable yield values provide an option to consider for handling and utilization of sisal wastes. 

Sahari, M. A, Akbarian M, A, and Hamedi, M. (2003]. Effect of variety and acid washing method on extraction yield and quality of sunflower head pectin. Food Chem., 83(1], 43-47. 

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