Characterisation and quality assessment of phospholipid from sesame seeds (<i>Sesamum indicum</i>)

Abstract

Phospholipids are amphiphilic molecules that can be used as basic materials for drug delivery systems. Phospholipids can be obtained from natural sources such as sesame seeds. This study investigated the chemical properties of a phospholipid and the total lipids extracted from sesame seeds. The phospholipid extract, with a yield of 0.475%, was brownish-yellow. It has a crude fat content of 96% comprising of saturated fatty acids (Methyl, 14-methyl-Pentadecanoic acid) and two unsaturated fatty acids (9,12-Octadecadienoic acid and 11-Octadecenoic acid). FTIR analysis of the phospholipid revealed the presence of double bonds and a characteristic choline absorption. The antioxidant screening using the DPPH free radical scavenging method showed 34.16% and 30.98 % antioxidant activity on days 7 and 14, respectively. A peroxide number test revealed that it maintained a low peroxide value of 3.1988 mg O₂/g even after 14 days in storage. The study concluded that the phospholipid extract of sesame seed has good antioxidant activity, chemical properties, and quality and could be used as a pharmaceutical excipient in drug delivery.