FT-IR/ATR Spectral Analysis of Black Sesame Constituents

FT-IR/ATR spectra of cotyledon, endosperm, and seed coat from raw ripened black sesame wet e analyzed to directly detect constituents contained in the seed Lipids, proteins, and carbohdrates were easily identified by this method Spectra of cotyledon and endosperm showed a few characteristic strong bands at 3000 (nu C-H), 1746 (nu C= O), and 1163 (nu C-O) cm(-1) corresponding to lipids and prominent bands at 1652 (amide I) and 1546 (amide II) cm(-1) corresponding to proteins The frequency of these amide bands suggests that the proteins in the seed have random coil structures In contrast, the spectra of the seed coat showed hardly any lipid or protein bands The bands corresponding to calcium oxalate were also very weak Bands corresponding to carbohydrates were observed in the region of 1200-950 cm(-1) for all parts of the seed (Received Oct 5, 2009, Accepted Jan 21, 2010)