Fatty Acid Composition of Sunflower in 31 Inbreed and 28 Hybrid

High variability observed represents a very promising base to obtain new sunflower inbreds with high oil quality for use either as component in hybrids or as breeding stock for future generations. The high variability observed also suggests that selection in sunflower germplasm enable the creation of more oil profiles with different fatty acids. Further research has advanced to clarify the inheritance of fatty acids to generate superior hybrid. The important high accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids genotype are GP-01004, Entry no-20, GP-01009 and GP-04026 can be utilized further to develop a sunflower hybrids with high and good quality fatty acid. Among derived crosses, four crosses were found to be higher oleic acid content viz., GP-01009x Entry P-S-2 (58.57%), BHAC-04038 (1) x GP-01005 (56.85%), Entry no.-20 x GP-01009 (53.36%) and BHAC-04038 (1) x GP-01009 (52.05%) compared to their respective parent (Table 1). Whereas involving parents GP-01009, Entry P-S-2, BHAC-04038 (1), GP-01005 and Entry no.-20 of these crosses contain 25.15%, 38.90%, 27.67%,

High proportion of the essential fatty acid (18:2) is considered to reduce blood cholesterol and hence sunflower has a special significance. High linoleic sunflower with 70% linoleic acid is also available in studied germplasm. It has greater oxidative stability and is useful as frying oil in the preparation of snack foods.
Furthermore, sunflower oil contains fat soluble vitamins A, B, E and K, well for heart proteins [1]. The objective of this study was to make a review of the genetic variability of oil quality components in sunflower and inheritance pattern in cross combination using own results and those of other authors.

Estimation of Fatty Acid Composition
Fatty acid profile of 31 inbreds and 28 F1 derived from selected eight parent through half diallel fashion was estimated by using gas chromatography. About 8-12 seeds was taken (seed was crushed in an oil paper and then transferred into a test tube). The sample was extracted and trans esterified at the same time with 5 ml ethylated reagent (petroleum ether/0.02M sodium hydroxide in ethanol (2/3) and shake. The samples were kept for overnight at room temperature. 10 ml salt solution (80 g NaCl and 3 g sodium hydrogen sulphate in 1 liter water) was added and shake. As soon as the two layers were separated, the benzene phase was transferred to small test tubes. A Philips PU 4500 chromatograph instrument was used with Flame Ionization Detector (FID). A glass column (1.5m x 4mm) was packed with BDS. With this column the injection post, column and detector temperature was set at 220°C, 185oC and 240°C, respectively. Nitrogen flow (used as career gas) rate was 22 ml/min, the injection volume was 2 μl. Peak areas were measured with an electronic digital integrator (Shinadzu C-R6A chromatopac).
The results obtained for seven fatty acids of 31 inbreds line through gas chromatography are presented in Table 4, Total fatty acid composition (Saturated and un-saturated) of the different inbred lines presented in Table 2, fatty acid composition of selected inbred parents used in half diallel crosses in sunflower are presented in Table 1 and fatty acid profile of 28 F1 derived from selected eight parent are presented in Table 4.

Saturated Fatty Acid
The hybrids with a high content of saturated fatty acids will have an important impact on the food industry because their oil will permit the production of semi-solid fats without the need of healthdetrimental processes such as hydrogenation or trans esterification [2]. But as daily intake for frying oils its percentage should be minimum. Onemli [3], Praveen [4] reported saturated fatty acid exhibit significant variation among their studied germplasm.
In this study out of seven fatty acid estimated in parental inbred lines palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0) and arachidic acid

Arachidic Acid
Arachidic acid is also a saturated fatty acid which found <1% in sunflower. High concentration of this fatty acid is undesirable for human health. FAO/WHO [6] reported arachidic acid is responsible for cardiovascular disease (DVD), coronary heart disease. In Entry-23 (0.2135%) and GP-01004x Entry P-S-2 (0.2178%).

Unsaturated Fatty Acid (UFA)
The sunflower oil had more than 90% of the unsaturated fatty acids and variation was noted among parents as well as hybrids regarding un-saturated fatty acid profile. Among unsaturated fatty acids, the linoleic and oleic is dominant in classical sunflower.
There is an important genetic variation regarding the fatty acid composition of the sunflower oil. [7,8]

Oleic Acid
High proportion of the essential fatty acid (18:2) is considered to reduce blood cholesterol and hence sunflower has a special significance [10]. It has greater oxidative stability and is useful as Among selected parent oleic acid ranges from 18.11-40.16% (Table 3). Among derived crosses, four crosses were found to be higher oleic acid content viz., GP-01009x Entry P-S-2 (58.57%),

Linolenic Acid
It is worthy to note that linolenic acid is also an essential fatty acid; however, its presence in the oil may causes rancidity and offflavor. In traditional sunflower oil, the linolenic acid content will be generally <1 percent. As like as linoleic acid, linolenic acid and its derivative fatty acids are essential fatty acids and not synthesized by human being and hence, must be obtained from dietary sources.
In this study the inbred Entry no-22 and GP-04019 had highest linolenic acid 0.4276% and 0.4234% among the studied lines which can be used for genetic analysis and breeding programs.