Sunflower lecithin
Sunflower lecithin suppliers and sourcing guide
Sunflower lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids (mainly phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol) with oil and other lipids, recovered from crude sunflower oil. Water is added during degumming, the hydrated gums are separated and dried into a fluid lecithin, which can be de-oiled with acetone to make powder or granules. It is chosen as a soy-free emulsifier and is often expeller-pressed and non-GMO.
- Category
- Gums, emulsifiers and thickeners
- Also known as
- Helianthus annuus lecithin · E322 · sunflower phospholipids · lecithin (sunflower)
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of sunflower lecithin
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fluid lecithin
Viscous liquid with roughly 60% or more acetone-insoluble phospholipids, the rest mostly oil.
De-oiled powder or granules
Oil removed with acetone to about 95% or more acetone-insolubles; easier to dose in dry blends.
Enzyme-modified or hydrolyzed
Partly hydrolyzed to lysophospholipids for better oil-in-water emulsions.
Fractionated (PC-enriched)
Fractions with higher phosphatidylcholine content for specialized uses.
Organic
Lecithin from organic sunflower seed, produced without chemical solvents.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Acetone-insoluble matter
- The phospholipid measure by AOCS or FCC method; the main grade parameter.
- Phospholipid profile
- Phosphatidylcholine and other phospholipids by HPLC or 31P-NMR.
- Acid value and peroxide value
- Titration methods that track hydrolysis and oxidation.
- Moisture, hexane-insolubles and viscosity
- Karl Fischer moisture, insolubles, and viscosity for fluid grades.
- Residual solvents
- Hexane and acetone by headspace gas chromatography, for solvent-extracted or de-oiled grades.
- Heavy metals and microbiology
- Lead and arsenic by ICP-MS; total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep fluid lecithin in closed drums or totes at room temperature, out of light and away from heat, since it oxidizes and darkens; warm gently to pump. Store powder sealed and dry, as it is hygroscopic. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with peroxide value as the usual retest point.
Lots and expiry dates
Acetone-insolubles, viscosity and color vary between lots; record them and note whether the lot is solvent-free and non-GMO. Use older lots first, since peroxide value rises with time.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 939, for sunflower lecithin notified by Sternchemie GmbH & Co. KG for use as an emulsifier, dispersing agent, wetting agent and release agent, closed in March 2021 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 1267, for sunflower lecithin notified by Shankar Nutricon, closed in February 2026 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)7 CFR 205.606 lists de-oiled lecithin among nonorganic agricultural products allowed in products labeled organic when the organic form is not commercially available.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Sunflower lecithin suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking sunflower lecithin suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell sunflower lecithin? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of sunflower lecithin can brands buy?
Common forms include fluid lecithin, de-oiled powder or granules, enzyme-modified or hydrolyzed, fractionated (PC-enriched) and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for sunflower lecithin include?
Expect acetone-insoluble matter, phospholipid profile, acid value and peroxide value, moisture, hexane-insolubles and viscosity, residual solvents and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should sunflower lecithin be stored?
Keep fluid lecithin in closed drums or totes at room temperature, out of light and away from heat, since it oxidizes and darkens; warm gently to pump. Store powder sealed and dry, as it is hygroscopic. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, with peroxide value as the usual retest point.
What is the regulatory status of sunflower lecithin?
GRN 939, for sunflower lecithin notified by Sternchemie GmbH & Co. KG for use as an emulsifier, dispersing agent, wetting agent and release agent, closed in March 2021 with FDA having no questions. GRN 1267, for sunflower lecithin notified by Shankar Nutricon, closed in February 2026 with FDA having no questions. 7 CFR 205.606 lists de-oiled lecithin among nonorganic agricultural products allowed in products labeled organic when the organic form is not commercially available.
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