Physicochemical Characterization and in Vitro Antioxidant Capacity of 35 Cultivars of Sesame (Sesamum indicum.L) from Different Areas in Morocco

Sesame Sesamum indicum. L) is one of the most important oilseed crops, having seeds that are highly valued as a traditional health food and recently, natural antioxidants have gained increased interest because natural food ingredients are safer than synthetic ones. Physicochemical analyses and bioactive molecular tests were carried out on 35 cultivars of sesame seeds; the antioxidant activity was also investigated. This activity was found to be high ranging between 60 and 63 % for the samples considering other plants and the synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT, this result can be related to the large amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents with the values 3.8-3.9 mg/g and 0.13-0.14mg/g respectively. The flavonols content was ranging between 0.40 and 0.41mg/g. those results strongly suggest that phenolics compounds are a good natural antioxidant. Due to its all favorable properties; sesame seeds could be used in either food or cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.