Mineral contents and some physico-chemical properties of some commercial sesame seeds used in halva (sweet) production

The mean heavy metal and minerals of sesame seeds were determined by ICP-AES. The mean values of Ca, Mg, K, P and S contents of seeds varied from 7815, 1927, 4426, 3945 and 2228 (mg/Kg, dw), respectively. In addition, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, Mo and Cr values of sesame seeds were found at the levels between 63.27 to 254.28, 28.31 to 36.31, 15.06 to 19.76, 11.53 to 26.24, 8.36 to 10.78, 0.447 to 1.440 and 0.148 to 0.631 (mg/Kg, dw), respectively. In regard to protein contents of sesame seeds, the mean protein values of seeds were found between 21.83 (Nigeria Maidaguri) to 25.77 % (Etiopia Volega). Ash levels of samples were found between 2.6% (.Afganistan) to 3.4% (Nigeria Maidaguri). Crude oil contents of hulled sesame seeds were established between 57% (Mozambic) to 65% (Afganistan).