Antioxidant, phytochemical and physicochemical properties of sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L)

Abstract Objective : The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant, phytochemical and physicochemical properties of sesame seeds grown in Ghana. Methodology : The seeds were extracted in either 70% (v/v) methanol, ethanol or acetone. The antioxidant activity of each extract was investigated using the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were also investigated. The proximate analysis, as well as the mineral contents of the seeds, were carried out using the wet acid digestion method for multiple nutrient determinations. Results : The acetone extract demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity by scavenging 60.12 % DPPH, 96.45 % ABTS and had a FRAP value of 0.408. This was followed by the ethanolic extract, which quenched 55 % DPPH, 91.91 % ABTS, with a FRAP value of 0.245. The methanolic extract demonstrated the least antioxidant effect by scavenging 51.26 % DPPH, 89.72% ABTS and had a FRAP value of 0.208. The total Phenolic contents strongly correlated with antioxidant activity and were recorded at 99.67, 95.6 and 81.72 GAE/10 µL respectively for the acetone, methanolic and ethanolic extracts. The fat content of the seed was very high, constituting 56.56%. This was followed by carbohydrate (18.44 %), protein (15.67 %) and fibre (8.22%) with low moisture (3.49 %). Magnesium was found to be the mineral with the highest composition (182.47 mg/100g), which was followed by sodium (105.52), iron (7.37) and zinc (4.47) mg/100g. Conclusion : Sesame seeds possess significant antioxidant activity. They also contain significant amounts of phenolics, flavonoids, nutrients and minerals. This suggests that dietary uptake of sesame seeds could be potentially protective against diverse diseases.