EVALUATION OF GAMMA-RAY INDUCED MUTANT LINES OF SESAME ( Sesamum indicum L.) FOR PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF THE SEED-OIL

Abstract

The physicochemical properties of sesame oil determine its application and also form the criteria for genetic improvement of the crop. Most of the released sesame varieties in Nigeria do not consider oil properties of the seed and where it is only oil quantity is used. This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical parameters of gamma-ray induced mutant M5 lines of sesame seed oil. The physicochemical parameters determined include the refractive index, free fatty acid, ester, glycerine, viscosity, iodine, peroxide, saponification, unsaponification and acid values. The results revealed M5 mutant lines displayed significant disparity in some of the parameters measured. The highest values in viscosity (10.00, 10.00), Saponification (219.49), Acid (3.14), ester (217.55) were from NCRIBEN-03L, 03L-250-G1-1; 01M-350-G1-2, 01M-350-G2-2-2 and 01M-350-G1-2 (217.55) respectively, while the least values for the respective parameters were from 03L-450-G2-2 (4.00); 04E-550-G1-3 (172.43); 04E-550G2-3 (0.4) and 04E-550-G1-3 (171.92). The study deduced that gamma-ray irradiation could be used as a tool for the improvement of seed oils. Oils from mutants (NCRIBEN-03L, 03L-250-G1-1; 01M-350G1-2, 01M-350-G2-2-2 and 01M-350-G1-2) have the potential to be used for cosmetic industry and Mutants (03L-450-G2-2; 04E-550-G2-3) for domestic and confectionery applications.