VARIETAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES, PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF IMPROVED SESAME (Sesamun indicum) SEEDS

The study was conducted to characterize the physical properties, proximate and mineral composition of improved sesame varieties. Fourteen improved varieties of sesame seeds were analyzed for their physical properties, proximate and mineral composition following standard analytical procedures. The arithmetic mean diameter (AMD), sphericity, geometric mean diameter (GMD), aspect ratio and surface area were in the range 1.51-1.91 mm, 0.57-0.64 mm, 1.32-1.70 mm, 61.50- 75.00%, and 84 - 8.94 mm2, respectively. Ca, Fe, Mg and K contents were also in the range 5.4-20.2 mg/kg, 0.5-3.0 mg/kg, 1.5-7.4 mg/kg, and 2.9-12.9 mg/kg, respectively. There was significant varietal differences (P<0.05) in the physical properties, proximate and mineral composition of the improved sesame seeds. The improved sesame varieties were characterized into three groups with distinct physical properties, proximate and mineral composition using hierarchical clustering procedure. Cluster 1 consists of varieties with relatively low proximate and mineral composition while cluster 2 comprises varieties with higher amounts of these nutrients. The variety in cluster 3 was characterized with exceptionally low content of minerals. The diversity obtained in the physical properties and proximate composition of the improved sesame seeds from this study underscores the huge potentials of the improved sesame seeds in food and non food use