Abstract

A collection of 13 sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars, grown in different areas from Tadla-Azilal region in Morocco were analyzed for oil content, fatty acid composition, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of seed oil. The cultivars were different in their oil quantity and quality. The oil content varied from 53.24 to 66.87%, with an average value of 60.89%. The percentage content of oleic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic, eicosenoic and behenic acids ranged between 35.67-39.99, 40.59-44.91, 0.42-0.65, 8.65-10.34, 7.27-8.59, 0.92-1.39, 0.34-0.47 and 0.0-0.35 respectively. Thus, oleic and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids with average values of 38.20 and 42.03% respectively. The mean content of both combined acids was 80.23% indicating the suitability of the sesame oil for human consumption. The polyunsaturated fatty acid composition ranged from 41.06 to 45.56 and the ratio PUFA/SFA ranged from 2.07 to 2.41. Results of this study showed that sesame oil has an important antioxidant effect with antioxidant activity value ranging from 32 to 59.1%. The total phenolic content varied from 47.1 to 60.1 mg of equivalent gallic acid/kg oil. The antioxidant activity can be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds which increase the shelf-life and nutraceutical value of sesame seed oil. Findings of this study could open up new opportunities for the exploitation of some Moroccan genotypes to improve the quality and commercial value of sesame seed oil in Morocco as well as in other areas of the world.

Keywords: Sesame; Oil content; Fatty acid; Phenolic content; Antioxidant activity