The total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant status (TAS), free radical scavenging capacity, inhibition of low density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol and metal chelating capacity of extracts of whole black and whole white sesame seeds and their hull fractions in 80%
aqueous ethanol were investigated. The TPC of whole black sesame seeds and hull extracts were 29.9 ± 0.6 and 146.6 ± 0.6 mg catechin
equivalents/g crude ethanolic extract, respectively. The corresponding values for white sesame were 10.6 ± 1.6 and 29.7 ± 0.9 mg catechin
equivalents/g crude ethanolic extract. The TAS as determined by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay and expressed as
Trolox equivalents was highest for black sesame hulls (65.9 ± 1.7) while white seeds showed the lowest (4.4 ± 0.6). Free radical scavenging
capacity of sesame extracts (5–40 lg/mL) was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The highest scavenging capacity was
obtained at 40 lg/mL and was 94.9 ± 0.8, 25.1 ± 0.4, 14.4 ± 0.9 and 2.5 ± 0.4 for black sesame hulls, black sesame seeds, white sesame
hulls and white sesame seeds, respectively. Inhibition of LDL oxidation at 100 ppm level was highest for black sesame hulls (96.7%) followed
by those for white sesame hulls (84.6%), black sesame (78.4%) and white sesame seeds (57.3%). Sesame products displayed good
ferrous ion chelating capacities, which ranged from 12% to 46% and 17% to 62% at 50 and 100 ppm levels, respectively. Results demonstrated
considerable antioxidant activity of sesame products tested especially black sesame hulls.
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