Determination of Proximate Composition and Amino Acid Profile of Nigerian Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars

Abstract

The proximate composition and amino acid profile of the seed of 30 Nigerian sesame genotypes were determined based on the standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and the Sequential Multi- sample amino acid Analyzer (TSM). Proximate analysis showed that sesame seed contained ash content of between 1.44 and 5.93 %; moisture (0.22 - 3.5 %). Similarly, fibre content ranged between 4.20 and 11.41 %; lipid had the highest value (58.36 ± 1.54 %, with a range of 52-63 %). The carbohydrate content varied from 15.68 - 28.05 %, while the protein content ranged between 3.25- 11.27 %. The high protein content in sesame seed was also shown to be rich in essential amino acids needed for enhanced nutrition. This study suggests that the significant variation in the proximate composition and the high biological value of the amino acids in sesame seed could be useful in enhancing human, as well as, livestock nutrition.

Keywords: Sesamum indicum; Proximate composition; Amino acid profile; Nutrient value

Nig J. Biotech. Vol. 23 (2011) 5- 12