Fifty-four sesame oils were assayed for authenticity by measurement of linolenic acid content (which is less than 0.5% by weight in genuine oil). Sesame oils (A-F) from major companies and oils (G-J) extracted from sesame seeds in our laboratory were used as standards for comparison. By fatty acid composition analysis, 33 of 54 samples showed levels of linolenic acid more than 0.5% by weight. In addition, the ratio of linoleic acid to oleic acid (C18:2/C18:1) in samples A-F ranged from 1.05 to 1.12, whereas the 54 collected samples showed a wide range of ratios, from 0.92 to 2.21.

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