Comparative Assessment of Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oils in Relation to Climatic Conditions and Genetic Diversity

Cold-pressed sunflower oil has gained increasing attention for its superior nutritional quality and retention of natural antioxidants compared to refined oils. Its composition and oxidative stability, however, are strongly influenced by both genetic factors and environmental conditions during seed development. Variations in temperature, solar radiation, and humidity can alter the activity of desaturase enzymes and the accumulation of bioactive compounds, thereby determining the sensory and functional quality of the oil. This study provides a comparative assessment of cold-pressed sunflower oils obtained from oil-type hybrids cultivated in Serbia and Argentina, and confectionery hybrids (intended for food use) grown in Serbia, in order to elucidate the combined effects of climatic conditions and genetic diversity on oil quality. Oils from Serbian-grown hybrids exhibited higher oleic acid (30.54–42.72%) and lower linoleic acid contents (46.03–58.44%) compared with those from Argentina, indicating temperature-driven desaturase inhibition. Total tocopherol content ranged from 341.56 to 719.41 mg/kg, while carotenoids and chlorophylls varied between 3.75–17.78 mg/kg and 0.02–1.43 mg/kg, respectively, with elevated pigment accumulation under higher solar irradiance. All oils met Codex Alimentarius standards and showed low peroxide (1.54–7.06 mmol/kg) and acid values (0.40–3.87 mg KOH/g). Principal component analysis differentiated oils according to geographical origin and hybrid type, explaining over 77% of the total variance. These results demonstrate that both genotype and climate decisively modulate fatty acid composition, antioxidant content, and oxidative behavior, shaping the nutritional properties of cold-pressed sunflower oils.