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

Abstract

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 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.

Keywords

• antioxidant properties
• agronomic traits
• sesame
• seed color
• origin