Changes in Lignan Content and Antioxidant Activity of Fermented Sesame (Sesame indicum L.) by Cultivars

This study investigated the lignan content, total phenol content, and antioxidant activities (2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)) of fermented sesame by cultivars. The results showed that the lignan contents of fermented and non-fermented sesame ranged from 2.35∼6.58 mg/g and 2.17 to 6.58 mg/g, respectively. The highest total phenol contents of fermented and non-fermented sesame were 51.90 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 25.94 mg GAE/g, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging and ORAC value ranged from 37.95 to 82.57% and from 172.34 to 1,067.80 μM TE/g in non-fermented sesame and fermented sesame, respectively. Fermented sesame had higher lignan content, total phenol content and antioxidant activities. than those of non-fermented sesame. Fermented sesame subjected to bioconversion showed increased lignan content and high antioxidant activity.