Sesame (Sesamum indicum)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a plant species in the Pedaliaceae family. It is an annual herb that typically grows to a height of 50–100 cm (though it can reach 2–3 meters). The leaves are arranged oppositely with entire (smooth) margins; those at the base are broadly lanceolate—up to 5 cm wide—while the leaves on the flowering stems are narrower, measuring about 1 cm in width. The flowers are tubular, 2.5–3 cm long, and range in color from white to pink or purple.

S. indicum produces a capsule-like fruit, usually covered in fine hairs, measuring 2–3 cm in length and 0.6–1.2 cm in width; each capsule contains four chambers (locules). The seeds are ovate and slightly flattened, tending to be thinner near the hilum than at the opposite end. They may be white or black, measure 3–4 mm in size, and have a weight of approximately 0.203 grams per 100 seeds.

The plant possesses a taproot with numerous lateral roots that often form a symbiosis with VA (vesicular-arbuscular) mycorrhizae. This symbiotic relationship assists the plant in acquiring nutrients and air from the soil. The species thrives in tropical regions at elevations of up to 1,600 meters and temperatures between 25°C and 35°C; it is tolerant of dry conditions and grows well in soil with a pH of 5.5–8.0. However, it cannot grow in sandy or saline soils, nor can it survive in waterlogged conditions or areas subject to continuous, heavy rainfall.

The seeds contain 50–53% vegetable oil, 20% protein, 7–8% crude fiber, 15% nitrogen-free extract, and 4.5–6.5% ash. The oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids—specifically oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2, Omega-6)—contains 8–10% saturated fatty acids, and is entirely free of linolenic acid. The seed oil is also rich in Vitamin E. The residue left over from the seeds serves as a protein source for animal feed. The seeds are high in iron (9.5 mg/100 g) and calcium (1125 mg/100 g).

The seeds are used as a topping for various treats and to enhance flavor—for instance, by sprinkling them over items like onde-onde (sesame-coated rice balls) or bread. They can also be processed into a paste. Ground seeds are frequently used as an ingredient in fish dishes or soups. The seed oil is utilized for cooking, as an ingredient in cosmetics and food preparations, and as a culinary garnish.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Pedaliaceae
Genus: Sesamum L. in Sp. Pl.: 634 (1753)
Species: Sesamum indicum L. in Sp. Pl.: 634 (1753)

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Volkameria orientalis var. indica (L.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 481 (1891)

HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS

Strobilanthes gentiliana H.Lév. in Bull. Soc. Agric. Sarthe, sér. 2, 44: 479 (1914)
Anthadenia sesamoides Lem. in Hort. Vanhoutt. 1(1): 4 (1845)
Sesamum africanum Tod. in Index Seminum (PAL, Panormitani) 1866: 34 (1867)
Sesamum auriculatum C.Presl in Isis (Oken) 21: 275 (1828)
Sesamum brasiliense Vell. in Fl. Flumin.: 264 (1829)
Sesamum edule Steud. in Nomencl. Bot. 1: 769 (1821)
Sesamum foetidum Afzel. ex Engl. in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 19: 156 (1894)
Sesamum hopkinsii Suess. in Trans. Rhodesia Sci. Assoc. 43: 47 (1951)
Sesamum indicum var. grandidentatum DC. in Pl. Rar. Jard. Genève: 18 (1825)
Sesamum indicum var. integerrimum Engl. in Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 32: 115 (1903)
Sesamum indicum subsp. malabaricum (Burm.) Bedigian in Novon 23: 6 (2014)
Sesamum indicum var. subdentatum DC. in Pl. Rar. Jard. Genève: 18 (1825)
Sesamum indicum var. subindivisum DC. in Pl. Rar. Jard. Genève: 18 (1825)
Sesamum luteum Retz. in Observ. Bot. 6: 31 (1791)
Sesamum malabaricum Burm. in Fl. Malab.: 4 (1769)
Sesamum mulayanum N.C.Nair in Bull. Bot. Surv. India 5: 251 (1964)
Sesamum occidentalis Heer & Regel in Index Seminum (Z, Turicensis) 1842: ? (1842)
Sesamum oleiferum Moench in Suppl. Meth.: 174 (1802)
Sesamum orientale L. in Sp. Pl.: 634 (1753)
Sesamum somalense Chiov. in Fl. Somala 2: 343 (1932)
Sesamum tavakarii M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida in Fl. Maharashtra 3B: 463 (2001)
Sesamum trifoliatum Mill. in Gard. Dict., ed. 8.: n.° 3 (1768)
Volkameria orientalis (L.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 481 (1891)
Volkameria sesamoides (Lem.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 482 (1891)

PUBLICATIONS

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Gosline, G., Bidault, E., van der Burgt, X., Cahen, D., Challen, G., Condé, N., Couch, C., Couvreur, T.L.P., Dagallier, L.M.J., Darbyshire, I., Dawson, S., Doré, T.S., Goyder, D., Grall, A., Haba, P., Haba, P., Harris, D., Hind, D.J.N., Jongkind, & al. (2023). A Taxonomically-verified and Vouchered Checklist of the Vascular Plants of the Republic of Guinea. Nature, scientific data 10, Article number: 327: [1]-[12].

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de Moura Júnior, E.G. & al. (2015). Updated checklist of aquatic macrophytes from Northern Brazil. Acta Amazonica 45: 111-132.

VERNACULAR NAME

Afrikaans: Sesame, Oliebossie
Bunun: Nadaz
Chinese (simplified): 油麻 - 胡麻 - 脂麻 - 芝麻
Chinese (traditional): 胡麻 - 芝麻 - 芝麻
English: Sesame, Benne, Wijen, Beniseed, Benue oil, Cultivated sesame, Gingelly, Gingelly-oil plant, Gingilli, Indian sesame, Sem-sem, Sem-semoil, Sesam, Sesame oil, Teel oil, Tilseed, Malabar sesame, Linga, Langa, Lunga, Langa, Lugna, Linga, Ahon-holi
Finnish: Öljyseesami
French: Sésame
Hebrew: שומשום
Hindi: सफेद तिल - तिल Safed til, Til
Hong Kong: 胡麻 - 芝麻
Indonesia: Wijen, Bidjan, Lenga
Italian: Sesamo
Japanese: ゴマ
Java: Wijen
Khmer: ឡុងហ្គោ Longo
Korean: 참깨
Lao: ງາ Nga
Macao: 胡麻 - 芝麻
Maharashtra: तीळ
Malaysia: Bijan, Lenga
Manipuri: Thoiding
Marathi: तीळ
Mizo: Chhibung
Ndebele: Inkunzana enkulu
Nepali: तिल Til
Polish: Sezam indyjski, Sezam wschodni
Portuguese: Gergelim
Russian: Кунжут индийский
Sanskrit: Tila
Shona: Ruminga
Slovak: Sezam indický
Sotho: Molekelela
Spanish: Ajonjolí
Swahili: Mfuta
Swedish: Sesam
Tagalog: Linga
Taiwan: 胡麻 - 芝麻
Tamil: சிரெல் - எல் - எல்லு - திலாம் Cirrel, El, Ellu, Tilam
Thai: งา
Turkish: Simsim, Susam, Küncü
Ukrainian: Кунжут індійський

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