What are the factors that determine the quality of sunflower oil?

Oil quality is determined by the fatty acid composition and the levels of tocopherols, sterols, carotenoids, and other compounds. Sunflower is regarded as one of the most promising crops when it comes to the genetic alteration of oil quality.

Standard sunflower oil is predominantly composed of linoleic acid and oleic acid. These two acids account for about 90% of the total fatty acid content of sunflower oil. The remaining 8–10% comprises palmitic and stearic acids. Conventional sunflower oil also contains several other fatty acids, but these are usually found only in small percentages.