Sesame seed--Sesamun indicum--is a good source of protein, yielding
20% to 25% protein content, depending on the variety. One of the
principal characteristics of this protein is its high levels of
methionine and tryptophan.
It is precisely its methionine content that distinguishes sesame
from other oil seeds. However, sesame is deficient in lysine and
isoleucine. And, despite the importance of sesame seed as a source of
protein, it does contain components that are undesirable from a
nutritional viewpoint, but whose levels can be significantly reduced
when the hull is removed.
Mexican scientists examined the effect of oil and pH on the
emulsifying and foaming capacity, and the emulsion and foam stability of
sesame protein concentrate (SESPC). They found that SESPC can be more
versatile than soybean concentrate (SOYPC). At an extreme pH, SESPC has
certain functional characteristics of great interest: emulsion
stability, oil absorption and foaming capacity.
A concentrate of sesame protein was compared with a commercial
SOYPC. Processing did not affect the functional characteristics of the
sesame concentrate. In many cases, the characteristics were equal to or
better than those of the SOYPC. The maximum emulsifying capacity of the
SESPC was 38% at acidic and basic pH. This was lower than the 44% for
SOYPC. The emulsifying capacity increased significantly as the oil
concentration increased in the sesame protein concentrate from 7.8% to
60.0%, and in the soybean concentrate from 7.6% to 68.2%.
The emulsion stability of the SESPC was greater at acidic pH (51%)
than at basic pH (45%). It also was greater than that of SOYPC. A
maximum emulsion stability of 96% was obtained for SESPC. A minimum
SESPC foaming capacity at 118.3% and a maximum foaming capacity at 240%
were higher than that obtained for SOYPC--92%.
Further information. Eleazar Escamilla Silva, Instituto Tecnologico
De Celaya, Ave. Tecnologico y A. Garcia Cubas S/N, A.P. 57, C.P. 38010,
Celaya, Gto. Mexico; phone: + 52 01(461) 611 75 75; fax: +52 01(461) 611
79 79; URL: www.itc.mx/itc/scripts/index.php.
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