Nutritional and Therapeutic Potential of Sesame Seeds

Assessing the drought tolerance of some sesame genotypes using agro-morphological, physiological, and drought tolerance indices

BACKGROUND

One significant abiotic stressor that harms sesame productivity globally is drought. This investigation used six sesame genotypes to measure variance in many variables under irrigated and terminal drought stress environments. Growth characteristics (plant height, fruiting zone length, branches' number), yield-related parameters (capsules' number per plant, capsule's length, 1000 seeds' weight, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per feddan) and physiological characters (relative water content, chlorophyll A content, chlorophyll B content, chlorophyll A + B content, and proline concentration) of sesame were measured. Six drought indices (geometric mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance index (TOL), stress susceptibility index (SSI) and, yield stability index (YSI)) were derived using seed yield per feddan. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of drought stress on the physiological and yield-related characteristics of the sesame genotypes and to find the qualities that were most helpful in selecting drought-resistant genotypes.

RESULTS

The analysis of variance revealed significant differences in genotypes and water depletion ratios, as well as their interactions, for all growth variables, except the interaction between genotypes and water depletion ratios for plant height and relative water content. Line 13 (H. 102) had the highest branches' number (6.85), capsules' number per plant (239.33) and capsule's length (3.35 cm) attributes under normal circumstances. Line 31 (H. 68) produced the maximum yield per plant (33.45 g) and feddan (679.83) and had the highest weight of 1000 seeds (3.9 g) under normal circumstances. Under the level (80% water depletion ratio), H. 68 had the highest amounts of chlorophyll A (5.73) and chlorophyll A + B (17.37) whereas H. 102 exhibited the highest concentration of chlorophyll B (5.73). The genotype H. 68 of sesame was found to have the greatest MP (650.35), GMP (649.32) and YI (1.16) indices followed by genotype H. 102. The Shandaweell 3 genotype resulted in the lowest SSI (36.92) and TOL (0.55) indices. Line 26 (H132) exhibited the highest average YSI values.

CONCLUSIONS

These data revealed that genotypes H. 102, H. 68 and Shandaweell 3 are the most drought-tolerant among the genotypes utilized in this study. These results may contribute to developing effective breeding techniques for drought-stressed sesame in the future.

Decoding gene expression dynamics during seed development in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) through RNA-Seq analysis

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L., 2n = 2× = 26) from the Pedaliaceae family is primarily grown for its high oil content, rich in unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). However, the molecular mechanisms of sesame oil accumulation remain poorly understood. This study analyzed transcriptomes at two seed development stages: Young Stage (YS, pods 1.5-2.5 cm) and Mature Stage (MS, brown pods >2.5 cm), to explore regulatory mechanisms and identify key genes involved in lipid biosynthesis. From 25,173 genes, 18,820 with expression values >10 CPM in at least 70 % of replicates were included in differential expression (DE) analysis. Active expression (LFC > 0) was observed in 9372 and 9448 genes at YS and MS, respectively. DEGs were annotated, revealing roles in various biological processes, (e.g., mRNA metabolic process, reproduction-related developmental processes, seed development), molecular functions (e.g., aminoacyltransferase activity, ubiquitin-like protein and ubiquitin-protein transferase activities), and cellular components (e.g., peroxisome, microbody, lipid droplet). KEGG analysis highlighted genes involved in fatty acid synthesis (e.g., fabG, fabZ), TAG biosynthesis (DGAT1, GPAT), and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism (AOS, LCAT3). Key genes upregulated at MS included SIN_1025205 (protein transport), SIN_1006853 (acetylajmalan esterase), and SIN_1003267 (gamma-cadinene synthase). The study generated a valuable transcriptome dataset and gene list for seed development and lipid biosynthesis, which will be validated through functional studies. An interactive webpage is provided for data exploration.

Genome-wide association scan and candidate gene analysis for seed coat color in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Introduction

Seed coat color in sesame is a crucial trait for breeding programs as it is closely associated with important characteristics such as oil content, protein levels, and disease resistance, which directly influence seed quality and market value.

Methods

This study investigates the genetic basis of seed coat color in 200 Sudanese sesame genotypes grown for two consecutive years through comprehensive phenotyping, genomic diversity analysis, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and candidate gene discovery.

Results and discussion

Phenotypic analysis across two growing seasons revealed high heritability and significant correlations among color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), indicating strong genetic control over seed coat color. The genomic analysis identified distinct clusters among sesame accessions, with rapid linkage disequilibrium decay suggesting a high level of recombination. GWAS identified significant SNPs associated with seed coat color traits, revealing key genomic regions on chromosomes 3, 6, 9, 12, and 13. Candidate gene analysis highlighted several genes, including DOF zinc finger proteins and WRKY transcription factors, which may play essential roles in pigment biosynthesis pathways. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs to enhance desirable seed coat color traits in sesame.

Evaluation of Agronomic Traits, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Properties of Sesame Seeds of Different Colors and Origin

Rising health concerns regarding chronic diseases call for exploring natural sources of antioxidants and factors that influence their activity. This study evaluated the diversity of 112 sesame germplasms from Africa and Asia based on ten agronomic traits (seven quantitative and three qualitative), two antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities), and the content of one metabolite (TPC). TPC, DPPH, and ABTS were in the ranges of 4.98-87.88 µg GAE/mg DE, 3.97-46.23 µg AAE/mg DE, and 3.42-176.01 µg TE/mg DE, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed significant variations in agronomic traits, TPC, and antioxidant activities among the sesame germplasms (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the individual and interaction effects of seed color and the continent of origin on the levels of the quantitative traits, TPC, ABTS, and DPPH were analyzed, and the correlation among the traits was further evaluated. Diversity in TPC, ABTS, and DPPH was significantly associated with seed color and most of the quantitative agronomic traits (p < 0.05) but not with continent of origin. Principal component analysis revealed TPC, ABTS, DPPH, and five quantitative traits as the most discriminant traits. In general, six sesame accessions with high TPC and antioxidant activities (IT194356, IT170094, IT29971, IT185998, IT104246, and IT169623) as well as important agronomic traits were identified and, hence, could be used for developing improved sesame varieties.

Investigating the effect of solvent on anti-antioxidant properties of Sesamum indicum seeds

Dietary phytochemicals are important bioactive compounds that can scavenge reactive oxygen species. These essential compounds may have antioxidant properties which are known to play a significant role in the treatment and prevention of many chronic diseases. Sesame, an oil-bearing seed, is a well-known promising source of food with both nutritional and therapeutic benefits. As a result, the study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of different solvent extracts of Sesame seeds and to analyse the bioactive compounds present. The seeds were obtained from the local farmers and prepared for analysis. The bioactive compounds present in the seeds were extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water. The total phenolic content (TPC), the condensed tannin content (CTC), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay were also determined using standard methods. Two chemometric methods, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Pearson correlation, were employed to evaluate the interdependence of the various parameters and the antioxidant activity. Anti-nutrients such as saponins, alkaloids, phytates, and oxalates were also analysed from the powdered seeds. The study results revealed the presence of anti-nutrients such as phytate (7.691 ± 0.8576 mg/g), oxalate (1.501 ± 0.1375 mg/g), saponins (21.33 ± 4.619 mg/g) and alkaloids (317.33 ± 30.29 mg/g). The study also revealed that the aqueous extract exhibited the highest TPC (17.12 ± 0.041 mg GAE/g of dried extract, p < 0.05) and CTC (64.27 ± 4.711 mg CE/g of dried extract, p < 0.05). Ethanol and hexane had a similar total phenolic content (14.83 ± 0.123 and 14.66 ± 1.474 mg GAE/g of dried extract, respectively, p < 0.05Ethyl acetate had the lowest TPC content. Ethanol extracts had the highest antioxidant activity with a TAC value of 232.6 ± 6.267 mg/g AAE and a DPPH scavenging activity of IC50 of 52.81 ± 2.30 μg/mL. A good correlation (p < 0.05) was established between the extracts' TPC, CTC, TAC, and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Chemometric analysis from the study showed no significant connection between the radical scavenging activity of TPC and DPPH. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the bioactive compounds present in the sesame seed and their subsequent antioxidant properties are dependent on the nature of the solvent used for extraction.

Recent advance in sesame allergens: Influence of food processing and their detection methods

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a valuable oilseed crop with numerous nutritional benefits containing a diverse range of bioactive compounds. However, sesame is also considered an allergenic food that triggers various mild to severe adverse reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis). Strict dietary avoidance of sesame components is the best option to protect the sensitized consumers. Sesame or sesame-derived foods are always consumed after certain food processing operations, which would cause a considerable impact on the structure of sesame proteins, changing their sensitization capacity and detectability. In the review, the molecular structure properties, and immunological characteristics of the sesame allergens were described. Meanwhile, the influence of food processing techniques on sesame proteins and the relevant detection techniques used for the sesame allergens quantification are also emphasized critically. Hopefully, this review could provide valuable insight into the development and management for the new "Big Eight" sesame allergen in food industry.

The occurrence of aflatoxins and labelling compliance of locally produced za'atar mix products

Za'atar mix products are mainly composed of the dried and ground leaves and/or blossoms of wild and cultivated plant species (Origanum, Thymbra, Thymus, and Satureja) with the addition of condiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of aflatoxins, chemical composition (carbohydrates, fibre, fat, protein, moisture, ash, and acid contents), mineral content (Na, Ca, and K), and colour traits (L*a*b*) in relation to food label and food standards compliance. Measured and labelled fat content did not agree for approximately 91% of the samples. There was also no agreement between the measured and labelled fibre contents. The total content of aflatoxins in the tested samples ranged from 2 to 63.7 ng g-1. Eleven (69%) of the 16 analysed products had total aflatoxins higher than the maximum permitted limit of the European Commission. The KAS and LAZ products had significantly lighter colour (the highest L* values), while the ALAQ product had the darkest colour (lowest L* value). The range of sodium content in the tested products was 105.1-1425.3 mg/100 g. In conclusion, za'atar mix products that are available in local markets do not have accurate nutritional labelling information, and the occurrence of aflatoxins was very high. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reasons for these quality defects.

Encapsulation of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 in alginate-galbanum (Ferula Gummosa Boiss) gum microspheres and evaluation of the survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions in probiotic Tahini halva

One of the famous traditional confectionery products is Tahini halva. The aim of this study was the production of probiotic halva using free Lactobacillus acidophilus (FLA) and microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus (MLA) with sodium alginate and galbanum gum as the second layer. The survival rate of MLA and FLA during heat stress, storage time, and simulation gastrointestinal condition in Tahini halva was assessed. The survival rates of MLA and FLA under heat stress were 50.13% and 34.6% respectively. During storage in Tahini halva, the cell viability loss was 3.25 Log CFU g-1 and 6.94 Log CFU g-1 for MLA and FLA, separately. Around 3.58 and 4.77 Log CFU g-1 bacteria were reduced after 6 h of exposure in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, for MLA and FLA respectively. These results suggest that the use of alginate and galbanum gum is a promising approach to protecting L. acidophilus against harsh environmental conditions.

Ternary Heterojunction Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Cupric Sulfide/Titanium Dioxide Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Sesamol Quantification and Antioxidant Synergism

Sesamol (SM) is a potent natural antioxidant that can quench free radicals and modulate the cholinergic system in the brain, thereby ameliorating memory and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease patients. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity can be amplified by synergistic interactions between different antioxidants. Here, we constructed a ternary heterojunction graphitic carbon nitride/cupric sulfide/titanium dioxide (g-C3N4/CuS/TiO2) photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for the quantification of SM and its synergistic interactions with other antioxidants. Crucially, the Schottky barrier in ternary semiconductors considerably enhances electron transfer. The PEC sensor showed a wide linear range for SM detection, ranging from 2 to 1277 μmol L-1, and had a limit of detection of 1.8 μmol L-1. Remarkably, this sensing platform could evaluate the synergism between SM and five typical lipid-soluble antioxidants: tert-butyl hydroquinone, vitamin E, butyl hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate, and butylated hydroxytoluene. Owing to its low redox potential, SM could reduce antioxidant radicals and promote their regeneration, which increased the overall antioxidant performance. The g-C3N4/CuS/TiO2 PEC sensor exhibited high sensitivity, satisfactory selectivity, and stability, and was successfully applied for SM determination in both soybean and peanut oils. The findings of this study provide guidance for the development of nutritional foods, nutrition analysis, and the treatment of diseases caused by free radicals.

Nutritional and Phyto-Therapeutic Value of the Halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.): A Special Focus on Seeds

This work searched for the phyto-therapeutic potential and nutritional value of seeds from the halophyte Cladium mariscus L. (Pohl.), aiming at its use as a source of bioactive ingredients for the food industry. Hence, the nutritional profile, including minerals, of seeds biomass was determined; food-grade samples were prepared, and their phytochemical fingerprinting assessed. Extracts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant potential, inhibitory capacity towards enzymes related to neuroprotection, diabetes, and hyperpigmentation, and anti-inflammatory properties, along with a toxicological assessment. Sawgrass seeds can be considered a proper nutritional source with a good supply of minerals. All extracts had a high level of total phenolics (65.3−394.4 mg GAE/g DW) and showed a chemically rich and diverse profile of metabolites that have several biological properties described (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory). Extracts had no significant toxicity (cell viabilities > 80%) and were overall strong antioxidants (particularly at radical scavenging and reducing iron), effective tyrosinase inhibitors (55−71 mg KAE/g DW), showed anti-inflammatory properties (30−60% NO decrease), and had moderate capacity to inhibit enzymes related to neuroprotection (AChE 3.7−4.2, BChE 4.3−6.0 mg GALE/g DW) and diabetes (α-glucosidase 1.0−1.1, α-amylase 0.8−1.1 mmol ACAE/g). Altogether, results suggest that sawgrass seeds have the potential to be exploited as a new food product and are a reservoir of bioactive molecules with prospective applications as ingredients for value-added, functional, and/or preservative food products.

Nutritional Value and Physicochemical Characteristics of Alternative Protein for Meat and Dairy-A Review

In order to alleviate the pressure on environmental resources faced by meat and dairy production and to satisfy the increasing demands of consumers for food safety and health, alternative proteins have drawn considerable attention in the food industry. However, despite the successive reports of alternative protein food, the processing and application foundation of alternative proteins for meat and dairy is still weak. This paper summarizes the nutritional composition and physicochemical characteristics of meat and dairy alternative proteins from four sources: plant proteins, fungal proteins, algal proteins and insect proteins. The difference between these alternative proteins to animal proteins, the effects of their structural features and environmental conditions on their properties, as well as the corresponding mechanism are compared and discussed. Though fungal proteins, algal proteins and insect proteins have shown some advantages over traditional plant proteins, such as the comparable protein content of insect proteins to meat, the better digestibility of fungal proteins and the better foaming properties of algal proteins, there is still a big gap between alternative proteins and meat and dairy proteins. In addition to needing to provide amino acid composition and digestibility similar to animal proteins, alternative proteins also face challenges such as maintaining good solubility and emulsion properties. Their nutritional and physicochemical properties still need thorough investigation, and for commercial application, it is important to develop and optimize industrial technology in alternative protein separation and modification.

Amino Acid Profiling and SDS-PAGE Analysis of Protein Isolates Obtained from Nonconventional Sources

Proteins play an imperative role in enhancing the nutritional status of the human body. The present study was designed to determine the molecular weight of protein isolates prepared from defatted oilseeds, i.e., sesame, flaxseed, and canola, using SDS-PAGE. The electropherogram revealed protein bands ranging from 15 to 65 kDa. Furthermore, proteins were subjected to amino acid profiling followed by calculation of amino acid score with reference to requirement for preschool children. The amino acid profiling results indicated that sesame protein isolates (SPI) exhibited the highest values for aromatic amino acids, histidine, isoleucine, and valine. However, the maximum values for sulfur-containing amino acids were depicted by flaxseed protein isolates (FPI). Moreover, the lysine content was highest in canola protein isolates (CPI). Results indicated better profile and quality of proteins, capable to meet the requirements of essential amino acids, especially for preschoolers. Moreover, the values for the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) were also determined. Conclusively, protein isolates from defatted oilseeds exhibit better-quality proteins with a balanced amino acid profile. By potential utilization in numerous food products, these proteins can play a pivotal role in fulfilling the nutritional requirements of individuals, especially in developing economies.