Influence of different thermal treatment methods on the processing qualities of sesame seeds and cold-pressed oil

This study investigated the impact of multiple thermal treatments (explosion-puffing, microwave, and roasting) on the processing qualities of sesame seeds and cold-pressed oil. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed fissures and cavities of sesame seed surface upon thermal treatments. The microwave treatment promoted the maximum conversion of sesamolin into sesamol in the sesame oil. Compared with other treatments, explosion-puffing treatment resulted in most significant increases in the multiple beneficial phytochemicals, as well as in vitro antioxidant properties determined by 2,2-dipheny1-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxidative stability index (OSI). Additionally, thermal treatment processing caused varying degrees of damage of crude protein, total amino acids (TAA) and protein structure (tertiary and second structure). In which, explosion-puffing achieved minimal reduction in the first two indicators. Collectively, explosion-puffing might be a preferable thermal treatment method for industrial sesame processing with improved quality specifications.