Study of some Physical and Biochemical Changes in Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Seed under Various Storage Conditions

Sesame is one of the most important oil crops in Iran. High oil seed content makes it difficult to store for a long period of time. This study was conducted in 2012 to evaluate possible physiological and biochemical changes in seed under different storage conditions. Various seed moisture content (5, 9, 13, and 17%) were evaluated under five temperatures (5, 15, 25, 35, 45) for six month. Germination indices including germination percentage, electrical conductivity and vigor index were evaluated for treated seeds. Moreove, after primay analysis, a number of treatments were selected and fatty acid contents were evaluated. The results indicated that by increasing moisture content and storing temperatures the seed quality decreased dramatically. Vigor index and electrical conductivity were decreased more sharply. Seed deterioration changed the fattly acids profile in a way that palmitic acid, steoric acid, and linolenic acid increased while oleic acid and and linoleic acid contents decreased. The highest content of linolenic acid was dected in stored seed with 13% moisture stored at 15 °C for five month.