ABSTRACT
Sesame is an important one of the oldest oilseed crops that contains an oxidative stable oil and bioactive compounds including lignans, tocopherol, and phytosterols. Based on their medicinal and pharmacological properties, the most important lignans are sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin, and sesaminol. In sesame seeds, α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols are found as tocopherol homologues. In addition to these functional components, sesame is an important source of phytosterols, phytates, polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), and bioactive peptides, which are associated with many health benefits including anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, improved digestion, reduced blood pressure, body weight regulation, and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. To the best of our knowledge, an exclusive chapter on the functional compounds of sesame has not been reported. This chapter delves into the presence of functional components in sesame seeds, their metabolism, and functional importance.
