The proximate and phytochemical composition of Sesamum indicum Linn and Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl at different stages of growth

Abstract

Sesamum indicum Linn. and Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl., both of family Pedaliaceae which were commonly harvested in substitute of one another now belong to the group of neglected and underutilized indigenous vegetables of the tropics. There is no known record of their chemical composition in line with growth. In the light of this, the proximate and phytochemical composition of these closely related plants were studied in order to bring to limelight the potentials of these increasingly neglected vegetables. Significant differences were observed in the percentage proximate and phytochemical analyses of the two species at different stages of growth. Comparative studies also revealed a higher percentage proximate in S. indicum (9.57% crude fibre, 9.53% moisture) than C. sesamoides (8.67% crude fibre, 9.17% moisture) while the phytochemicals were significantly more in the S. indicum (138.33mg/100g Tannins) than C. sesamoides (127mg/100g Tannins). The values for the two species were at par for saponins at 330mg/100ml, while the other phytochemicals present had slightly higher values in C. sesamoides for flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols at 1315 mg/100g, 843 mg/100g and 46.3 mg/100g respectively. In this study, proximate, mineral and phytochemical constituents showed a decline as the leaves approached reproductive stage of flowering and fruiting. It was noted in the two species studied that S. indicum started flowering after 8 weeks of growth and C. sesamoides, between the 9th and the 10th week. The proximate and the phytochemical values of the plants strongly support their use as vegetables and suggestive of medicinal values hence should not be neglected. Key words: Proximate analysis, Phytochemicals, Sesamum indicum and Ceratotheca sesamoides