Scientists decipher sesame anti-aging function

Recently, the work of deciphering the sesame genome jointly initiated by the Institute of Oil Crops of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Shenzhen Huada Gene has recently been successfully completed. This study analyzed the formation mechanism of sesamin, a high oil content of sesame and a unique Antioxidant and anti-aging functional ingredient, and the relevant research results have been published online in the international professional journal Genomic Biology.

According to Zhang Xiurong, a researcher at the oil crops research institute and the project leader, the preservation period of sesame oil is significantly longer than other edible oils because the sesame seeds contain a special substance called sesamin. Sesamin is highly resistant to oxidation and can increase the stability of oils. Sesamin has been clinically proven to be effective in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Through comparative genomic studies, the research team found that the key genes for sesamin synthesis exist only in sesame, and the differential expression of sesame seed during early development has an important influence on the synthesis and accumulation of sesamin.

The research team found that sesame contained approximately 27,148 genes, of which 84% were annotated. The completion of the project made sesame the second species of the dicotyledonous plant, which was sequenced following Spodoptera frugiperda. It is of great significance for plant evolution and comparative biology research. Based on this, scientists can deeply explore the secrets of sesame anti-aging.