Nutritional Variations in Sesame (Sesame indium L.) Seeds Varieties from Pakistan: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31580/pjmls.v8iSp3.3421Keywords:
ICP-OES, NMR, Nutritional variation, Sesame varieties, Proximate analysisAbstract
In the present study, ten registered sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties cultivated in Balochistan, Pakistan, were evaluated for proximate composition and mineral profile to identify nutrient-dense genotypes suitable for food, industry, and breeding programs. Moisture content ranged from 3.01 ± 0.12% (Niab-Sesame) to 25.90% (TS-5), while oil content varied significantly (P < 0.05) from 37.66 ± 1.02% (TH-6) to 51.01 ± 0.88% (Til-18). An inverse relationship was observed between moisture and oil content, with improperly dried varieties (TH-6, TS-5, TS-3, Anmol-Till) showing markedly lower oil yields. Seventeen elements were quantified using ICP-OES after microwave digestion. All varieties were rich sources of essential macro-elements (Ca, Mg, K, P, S > 2000 µg/g) and micro-elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu). Til-18 exhibited the highest concentrations of Ca (9699 ± 212 µg/g), Fe (186 ± 8 µg/g), and Zn (67.5 ± 2.7 µg/g), whereas Local-White was superior in K (4756 ± 98 µg/g), Mg (3043 ± 67 µg/g), Mn (20.2 ± 0.9 µg/g), and Sr (128 ± 5 µg/g). Potentially toxic elements (Al, Ni, Ti) were detected at low, safe levels. Til-18 and Local-White emerged as nutritionally superior genotypes, combining high oil yield with exceptional mineral density. These varieties are recommended for commercial oil extraction, for mineral-fortified functional foods, and as parental lines in breeding programs aimed at enhancing nutritional security in sesame.
References
1. Abdul WR, Gill S, Akram I. Promoting oilseed crops in Pakistan: Prospects and constraints. International Food Policy Research Institute (Pakistan). 2022.
2. Ali A, Majeed MN. Chemical characterization and fatty acid profile of different sesame varieties in Pakistan. American Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research. 2013;4(6):540–545.
3. Abbas S, Sharif MK, Sibt-e-Abbas, Teferra F, Sultan MT, Anwar MJ. Nutritional and therapeutic potential of sesame seeds. Journal of Food Quality. 2022;2022(1):6163753.
4. Anjum NA, Masood A, Rasheed F, Thangavel P, Umar S, Khan NA. Herbaceous edible oilseed-bearing plants: Origin, botanical insights, constraints, and recent progress. In: Edible Oilseeds Research: Updates and Prospects. 2024.
5. Eshan S, Mahtabani A, Karami F. Considering the oxidative stability of cold-pressed sesame, sunflower, and olive oils under different storage conditions. Food Technology. 2019;43(20):70–83.
6. Emmanuel ED, Kortei NK, Essuman EK, Tettey CO, Boakye AA, Hunkpe G. Antioxidant, phytochemical, and physicochemical properties of sesame seed (*Sesamum indicum* L.). Scientific African. 2020;8:e00349.
7. Fatimah NK, Pranjal Y, Rashmi Y, Sapna L. Indigenous sesame products for food and health. 2025;135–161.
8. Filza Q, Batool F, Saeed H, Ahmed M, Raheem F. Conventional and introduced oilseeds: A lifeline for Pakistan household needs. Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. 2024.
9. Hafiza MJ, Irfana A, Mahzaib S, Tararak M, Arusha A. A comprehensive review of the health benefits, nutritional composition, and agricultural aspects of sesame seeds. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2025;2025(1):8713698.
10. Harith HS, Ajaj HAQ. The response of several sesame cultivars to foliar spraying with potassium on yield and quality. Earth and Environmental Science. 2024;137(5):052045.
11. Hsu E, Parthasarathy S. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of sesame oil on atherosclerosis: A descriptive literature review. Cureus. 2017;9(7):e1438.
12. Ilyas A, Zia-ur-Rehman M, Zohaib Y, Tayyaba Y, Mohammad R, Muhammad A. Chemometric modeling revealed oleic and linoleic acids as varietal biomarkers for six sesame varieties – In vitro and UHPLC analyses. ACS Omega. 2024;9(35):37213–37224.
13. Jahangir A, Qadir G, Ali MF, Javed T, Jhanzab HM, Wattoo FM, Mahmood I, Ansar M, Khan MA, Zulfiqar U, Paray BA. Screening and growth assessment of indigenous and exotic sesame genotypes under osmotic stress. South African Journal of Botany. 2023;158:203–213.
14. Mahin H, Sunita Y, Sapna L. Nutritional quality of sesame and its health applications. 2025;163–184.
15. Mohammed NK, Malik AM, Rahman MA. Dynamics and trends of oilseed crops in Pakistan. Journal of Agriculture Research. 2024;58(2):123–135.
16. Muhammed I, Khan MK, Ali M, Nadeem M, Mushtaq Z, Ahmad MH, Arshad MS, Rahim MA. Cold-pressed sesame (*Sesamum indicum* L.) oil. In: Cold-Pressed Oils. 2020;105–111.
17. Muhammed NT, Habib A, Sahi GM, Sagheer M, Murad T, Zahid K, Ali A. Management of Fusarium wilt disease in sesame (Sesamum indicum) through seed treatment and soil amendment. Phytopathogenomics and Disease Control. 2024;3(2):261–266.
18. Muhammad R, Asjad A, Maria G, Waqar A, Najeeb U. Biotechnology of sesame for development of high-yielding varieties. In: Sesame: Sustainable Production and Applications. 2025;37–56.
19. Sajid A, Taimoor M, Ullah I, Ahmed U, Ali R. Synergistic effects of potassium and zinc application on yield and quality of sesame. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. 2024;14(1).
20. Saqib H, Sial TN, Hayat MK, Tariq M, Mehwish S. Enhancing sesame yield in arid conditions through NPK fertilizer optimization. Asian Plant Research Journal. 2024;12(3):1–11.
21. Seyed MT, Mahdieh M, Sarveyas F, Matsyura A. Infraspecific genetic diversity and seed fatty acid composition in Sesamum indicum L. populations (Pedaliaceae) in Iran. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 2023;107:104618.
22. Sheraz ZK, Taha SS. Temperature influence variation on extracted oil yield from exported white sesame seed characterization. Journal of Kerbala for Agriculture Sciences. 2024;11(1):194–204.
23. Pardeepinder KB, Danyluk MD. Nuts and grains: Microbiology and preharvest contamination risks. In: Preharvest Food Safety. 2018;105–121.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Pak-Euro Journal of Medical and Life Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
