Introduction

• Belongs to family Pedaliaceae.
• Self-pollinating annual plant occasionally perennial.
• popularly known as “Queen of oilseeds”, due to high quality polyunsaturated, stable fatty acid that resists oxidative rancidity.
• Also known as “Poor man’s ghee”.
• Has a pronounced root system.
• The fruits are called capsules that bear small, ovate and flattened seeds that are black, brown or white in color.
• The 1000- seed weight accounts 2-4 g.

Importance

• Seed contains: 40-60% oil, 19-26% protein, 3-6% CF.
• Seed is a good source of niacin, folic acid and tocopherol; also consist of a number of antinutritional factors.
• Used in making salads, pickles, cooking
• Used in manufacture of soaps, paints, lubricants and illuminants.
• Oil is used as solvent of carrier for making medicines and cosmetics.
• A mixture of sesame oil and indigo applied to skin protects against intense heat and cold.
• Seed cake is good feed for poultry and livestock.
• Sesamum contains sesamin (0.007-0.6%) and sesamol (0.002-0.006%) that acts as synergists with pyrethrum to effectively control insects.
• Sesamol (liberated from sesamolin) is antioxidant that improve shelf life and resist oxidative rancidity.
• Contains polysterols that reduce level of blood cholesterols.

Origin and distribution

• originated in India.
• Spread to England and Russia from the Mediterranean region.
• Portuguese introduced it to Brazil.
• Globally distributed in Asia, Africa, Latin America, China, India, Sudan, Pakistan etc.