Nutraceuticals in Sesame Seeds and Oil —A Review

Sesame seeds and oil are being used by man since ancient
times for culinary and non-culinary aspects such as in
cosmetics, medicinal, insecticidal, pesticidal and bactericidal
products. The sesame seeds contain unique nutraceutical
compounds namely sesamol, sesamin, sesamolin, sesaminol,
sesamolinol generally termed as lignans and their glucosides
(which are poly-phenolic in nature but insoluble in oil). Apart
from these, sesame oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and
tocopherol content. These lignans contribute to the various
health benefits like lowering of bad cholesterol, antioxidative
activity (cancer preventive action), hypoglycaemic activity,
hemostat activity, increase in plasma and liver tocopherol
content, and reduction in coronary heart diseases (CHD).
Therefore including sesame seeds and oil in the diet provides
nutraceuticals which are essential for growth and well-being