Changes in Total Antioxidant Capacity of Sesame (Sesamum sp.) by Variety

Total antioxidant capacity in relation to variety, species, morphological attributes and seed coat colour was investigated using 22 diverse Sesamum genotypes from 16 different countries. The highest total antioxidant capacity content was determined in the genotype with non-shattering capsule with a value of 24.5 mu mol/g dm. This genotype was followed by 265513 with purple stem, branches and capsules. The lowest total antioxidant capacity content was observed 250946 with strong hairy stem, branches, leaves and capsule with a value of 2.6 mu mol/g dm. Sesamum radiatum and Sesamum prostratum had low level of antioxidant capacity while Sesamum sp from Morocco had a high value of total antioxidant capacity. The relation between total antioxidant capacity content and seed colour was also investigated but no correlation was found. Instead of seed coat colour, the other properties of the accessions such as morphological attributes and regional distribution played an important role for obtaining high and low total antioxidant capacity content.