Comparison of Contents of Sesamolin and Lignan Antioxidants in Sesame Seeds Cultivated in Japan

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that sesamolin, which is one of the typical sesame lignans, is very important compound as a precursor of two kinds of natural antioxidants, sesaminol and sesamol. Thus for commercial production, sesamolin rich strains will be most desirable. The present work was intended to investigate the contents of sesamolin and lignan antioxidants in the sesame seeds of 14 domestic strains. Sesamolin was found to be rich in strain no. 638, 126, 48 and 201, but no apparent genetic or color dependence of the content was seen. Statistical analysis was showed that the average ratio of sesamin to sesamolin content in black strains was larger than that of white strains with 5% significant level. Lignan antioxidants and sesamol were found to be only in trace amounts in the 14 strains.