Comparative analysis and determination of antioxidant profile of sesame seed, date seed and chestnut

Abstract

This study comparatively analyzed the antioxidant profiles and phytochemical composition of Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum), Date seed (Phoenix dactylifera), and Chestnut (Castanea sativa) using various antioxidant assays and analytical techniques which included 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and the total phenolic content. The results showed significant variations in the antioxidant capacities of the three samples. The antioxidant profile of each sample was further characterized by identifying and quantifying the major antioxidant compounds present, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoid, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid.  Results indicated that Chestnut seed exhibited the highest antioxidant activity for DPPH with (51.3%) followed by Sesame seed (42.8%) and Date seed (38.6%). The ascorbic acid content in Chestnut seed was very high (310.68mg/100g) but extremely low in sesame seed (0.03mg/100g).Carotenoid content in Chestnut was very high (28.74µg) but low in date seed (1.96µg). Phytochemical analysis revealed that Date seed had the highest total phenolic content (1350. 64 mg GAE/100g) and flavonoid concentration (742.18 mg /100g).  This suggests that dietary intake of Chestnut, Date and Sesame seeds can go a long way to protecting against diverse disease and their seeds could be valuable in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical applications.