Transgenic approches to improve sesame sesamum indicum l oil quality with omega 3 fatty acid

Abstract

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L) is an important and very newlineancient oil seed crop. Sesame seeds contain more than 50% oil, which is rich newlinein oleic and linolenic acid with trace amounts of Alpha linolenic acid an newlineomega 3 fatty acid. The objective of this study is to quantify the levels of newlineomega 3 fatty acid content of sesame varieties in Tamil Nadu. Eleven sesame newlinevarieties released by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and six newlinelandraces of sesame seeds were collected from various Research stations of newlineTNAU. The total oil content was estimated by solvent extraction method and newlineAlpha linolenic acid was quantified by Gas Chromatographic analysis. newlineThe total oil content of these sesame seeds range from 50-56%. The alpha newlinelinolenic acid content of these sesame varieties was found to be 0.29-0.34%. newlineSesamin and Sesamol are the two major lignans present in sesame seeds hull. newlineBoth these lignans are nutritive supplements that confer antioxidant and newlineanti-inflammatory effects. The sesamol content of these sesame varieties newlinewere found to be 0.037-0.55 and#956;g/gram of seeds. The sesamin content of these newlinesesame varieties and landraces varied from 2.03-6.45 and#956;g/gram of seeds. newlineQuantification of these lignans would enable us to find the local varieties for newlinefurther exploitation. newlineAlpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is the precursor for the synthesis of newlineessential fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. The dietary requirement of newlineomega 3 fatty acid is 1.59 g for females and 2.06g in males. There is an newlineurgent need for enhancing omega 3 fatty acid in vegetable sources. Sesame newlineoil is unique in its flavour and medicinal properties but it contains only traces newlineof ALA. newline