Variation of sesamin, sesamolin and tocopherols in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds and oil products in Thailand

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed and oil contain abundant lignans, including sesamin, sesamolin and lignan glycosides. The aim of the present study was to determine sesamin, sesamolin and tocopherol contents in sesame seed and oil available in Thailand. The results showed that there was a large variation of sesamin and sesamolin contents in products. The distribution plot of sesamin and sesamolin contents in seeds showed that the mean values of sesamin and sesamolin were 1.55 mg/g (SD = 1.63; range n.d.–7.23 mg/g) and 0.62 mg/g (SD = 0.48; range n.d.–2.25 mg/g), respectively. The range of total tocopherols of these sesame lines was 50.9–211 μg/g seed. In commercial sesame oils, the ranges of sesamin and sesamolin were 0.93–2.89 mg/g oil and 0.30–0.74 mg/g oil, respectively, and tocopherol contents were 304–647 μg/g oil. The study reveals the extensive variability in sesamin, sesamolin and tocopherol contents among sesame products.