Introduction to the study of the changes in sunflower seeds during their storage

Abstract

A comparative study has been performed to examine the alterations occurring in sunflower seeds during their storage in an air atmosphere and in a nitrogen current. Two kinds of seeds with different moisture contents were used to examine the influence of this parameter: seeds from the Ukraine with about 5% humidity, and Spanish seeds (from the Central region), with about 12% humidity. The Ukrainian seeds stored in an air atmosphere were kept at 20°C in a room with about 50% humidity, while those stored in a nitrogen current were kept in the laboratory. The seeds with a high moisture content were stored in the laboratory irrespective of the storage atmosphere used. Samples of seeds were taken periodically, and their moisture content was analyzed as was the acidity, p-anisidine, k₂₇₀ and k₂₃₂ values and % polar compounds of their crude oil.