The black sesame seeds were extracted with 75% ethanol
and defatted with chloroform to obtain the brown
pigment. Based on the above results, brown pigment of
black sesame seed provided about a 7–10 fold higher
antioxidant activity than those obtained by SC–CO2
or n-hexane extraction. It seems that the higher antioxidant
activity of black sesame may be attributed to
brown pigment, which is responsible for its various
physiological functions.
In conclusion, the white and black sesame seeds are
widely consumed. However, the consumer accepts black
sesame seed better than white sesame seed. The brown
pigment of ethanolic extracts provided a stronger antioxidant
activity than n-hexane extracts or extracts of supercritical
carbon dioxide extraction from black sesame
seeds, assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate
free radical and inhibition of peroxidation of linoleic
acid. The brown pigment in ethanolic extract plays a
prominent role in the antioxidant activity of black
sesame seed.