Sunflower Protein
Sunflower Protein is a plant-based protein isolated from the seeds of Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, typically as a coproduct of sunflower oil extraction.
Commercial isolates reach 80 to 90 percent protein on a dry basis. The amino acid profile is notable for its high content of sulphur amino acids (methionine and cysteine), which is rare among plant proteins and complements the typical pulse-protein profile.
We source bulk Sunflower Protein from top China manufacturers for our partners. The manufacturer is in Liaoning. A smaller requirement can ship in a combined container with other ingredients.
Please send the grade you need, the volume and your destination port, and we will come back with a solution and a price.
or call +86-21-6858 0751
- Packaging
- 25 kg kraft paper bag with PE inner liner
- ISO 9001
- HACCP
- Halal
- Kosher
Specifications
Grades / Types Available: food grade, feed grade
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Light beige to greenish fine powder |
| Protein (dry basis) | ≥ 50% |
| Moisture | ≤ 8.0% |
| Fat | ≤ 8.0% |
| Ash | ≤ 7.0% |
| Particle Size | 80-100 mesh |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 10,000 cfu/g |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25g |
| Purity (Food Grade) | 90% |
| pH (Food Grade) | 6.5 |
| Heavy Metals (Food Grade) | <0.5 ppm |
| Lead (Food Grade) | <0.1 ppm |
| Arsenic (Food Grade) | <0.1 ppm |
| Yeast & Mold (Food Grade) | <100 cfu/g |
Common Markets Grades
Sunflower Protein is graded by protein assay, colour, and chlorogenic acid content.
Standard concentrate grades carry 55 to 65 percent protein and retain visible colour and a recognizable sunflower flavour. They suit savory and bakery applications.
Isolate grades reach 80 to 90 percent protein and are positioned for beverages, dairy alternatives, and sports nutrition.
Colour control is a defining feature of grade differentiation. Untreated sunflower protein develops a green-to-brown colour when chlorogenic acid in the seed oxidises at neutral and alkaline pH. Light-colour grades use processing methods that remove or stabilise chlorogenic acid prior to extraction.
Dehulled-seed and confectionery-variety sources deliver milder flavour than press-cake from oilseed-grain production. Organic and non-GMO certified grades are widely available.
Applications
- Sports protein blends, where sunflower contributes sulphur amino acids missing from pulse proteins
- Plant-based meat analogs as a sustainable, allergen-friendly protein
- Dairy alternatives: sunflower milk, yogurts, and creamers
- Bakery applications: breads, crackers, and savory baked snacks
- Plant-based egg formats blended with other functional proteins
- Snack chips and puffs as a protein-fortified component
- Protein bars and meal-replacement formats
- Soups, sauces, and dressings as a protein source and emulsifier
- Infant and toddler nutrition formulas where allergen avoidance is a priority
- Pet food as a regionally available plant protein source
- Cosmetic conditioners and skin formulations as a sulphur-rich peptide source
Brands Using Sunflower Protein
Widely-distributed consumer products that list Sunflower Protein on the ingredient label.
- Sprout LivingSimple Sunflower Seed Protein Powder ↗Sprout Living Sunflower Seed Protein product page lists a single ingredient organic sunflower seed protein (15 g per serving) with no gums, flavourings, or additives.Label verified 2026-05-24
- Sprout LivingSimple Sunflower Seed Protein 1lb ↗Sprout Living Sunflower Seed Protein 1 lb product page lists organic sunflower seed protein as the sole ingredient, cold-pressed and additive-free.Label verified 2026-05-24
- NaturesPlusOrganic Sunflower Protein ↗NaturesPlus Organic Sunflower Protein product page lists organic sunflower protein with organic quinoa powder and an enzyme blend; unflavored and unsweetened.Label verified 2026-05-24
Brand names, product names and logos are the property of their owners. They appear here as published evidence that the ingredient is used, taken from the brand's own label or website. Their appearance is not an endorsement, and it does not mean the brand buys from us or from any manufacturer listed on this site.
China Manufacturers of Sunflower Protein
Top Sunflower Protein manufacturers in China.
Company names and logos are the property of the manufacturers themselves. They are listed here because our own directory records them as producing this ingredient. A listing is not an endorsement by them, and we do not represent them or speak on their behalf.
How We Help Source Sunflower Protein
Direct Factory Sourcing
We run the whole process: selecting the manufacturer from the top Chinese food ingredient producers, negotiating the price, verifying quality, and coordinating the logistics. You deal with us instead of with several factories at once.
Original Packaging and Documents from the Manufacturer
The manufacturer sends your Sunflower Protein out of its own factory in the original packing, through to your destination port. The COA, COO, MSDS, TDS and any certifications reach you from the manufacturer as well.
Free Samples and Lead Time
We send 100 to 500 g free for your own laboratory to test and you cover only the courier, usually within 2 to 3 working days. ETD is usually within 7 to 15 days once the order is confirmed, and we check that date against the factory's own manufacturing schedule before we give it to you.
Combined Shipment
We can load Sunflower Protein together with other ingredients such as Collagen Peptide, Soy Protein Isolate and Fish Collagen Peptide into one 20' FCL. If your quantity is small, we can also ship LCL.
Regulatory Status
Sunflower Protein is regulated as a food ingredient derived from a conventional food source.
In the United States it is treated as Generally Recognized as Safe when produced from food-grade sunflower seeds. No specific premarket approval is required.
In the European Union the ingredient is treated as a standard food ingredient and does not require Novel Food authorisation, given the long history of sunflower seed and sunflower kernel use in food.
Sunflower seed is not classified as a regulated priority allergen in the United States, the European Union, or most other major markets. Voluntary allergen advisories appear on some labels.
Kosher, Halal, vegan, and non-GMO certifications are widely available. Organic certification is produced from producers sourcing certified organic sunflower seed.
Manufacturing Process
Sunflower Protein is produced from defatted sunflower meal, the residue of oil extraction.
Mechanical pressing combined with hexane extraction removes the oil from cleaned, dehulled sunflower seeds. The remaining defatted meal contains approximately 30 to 50 percent protein, along with fibre, residual oil, and chlorogenic acid.
For isolate production, the meal is slurried in water at alkaline pH. The protein dissolves while fibre is removed by centrifugation. The protein is then precipitated at the isoelectric point near pH 4.5, washed, neutralised, and spray-dried.
The signature challenge in sunflower protein is chlorogenic acid management. At alkaline pH, this phenolic compound oxidises to a green and then brown quinone that binds to lysine residues on the protein. Modern processes use aqueous prewash, ethanol wash, or membrane filtration to remove chlorogenic acid before alkaline extraction.
Membrane-based processes also avoid the harsh pH cycling of isoelectric precipitation, delivering a protein closer to its native state and with lighter colour.
