DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i6.157

Keywords: Sesame; nutritional quality; deep eutectic solvents DES; fatty acid profile; minerals; black sesame; white sesame

Abstract

The growing global population demands an increase in superior food sources to meet essential nutritional requirements. Acknowledging the importance of nutrient-rich foods, there is greater attention on plant-based sources, particularly oil seeds, such as sesame seeds, which have an abundance of proteins, minerals, and fatty acids. This study presents a green and application-oriented approach to increase the extraction efficiency of fatty acids and minerals from Pakistani sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties (black and white) using green solvents known as deep eutectic solvents (DES). The two cultivars (black and white) were collected from the local markets of Jhelum, Lahore, Kasur, and Faisalabad. Five different DES combinations were prepared using natural, biodegradable components of varying molar ratios including thymol-formic acid (1:1), thymol-urea (1:2), choline chloride-glycerol (1:2), choline chloride-lactic acid (1:2), and choline chloride-citric acid (1:1). These DES systems were applied to both sesame varieties to evaluate their efficiencies in the extraction of bioactive nutrients. Baseline analysis revealed that black sesame had more unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1) compared to the white sesame variety, confirming the potential of black sesame as a source of top-quality oil. However, white sesame exhibited slightly higher levels of minerals such as phosphorus (6196.7 ppm) and magnesium (566.6 ppm) compared to black sesame seeds. DES-based extractions significantly enhanced extraction efficiency (p < 0.05, ANOVA). The DES combination of thymol-formic acid had the highest extraction efficiency for fatty acids, while choline chloride-citric acid was the most effective for the recovery of minerals. This research highlights the capability of DES as a green, sustainable, and efficient alternative to classical solvents for lipid and mineral extraction from oil-bearing seeds. The findings present valuable insights for the advancement of eco-friendly extraction techniques applicable in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries.