Determination of mineral contents of various sesame and tahini products by ICP-MS method

In this study, 20 different minerals were analysed using the ICP-MS method in 28 domestic and imported sesame seeds used in our country, and 21 tahini products were produced from these sesame varieties and offered for sale. Samples of sesame and tahini were tested for various physical and chemical analyses outlined in the Turkish Food Codex, and the compliance of these samples with the codex was assessed. The physical and chemical properties of the analysed sesame and tahini samples largely align with the values specified in the tahini and sesame codex. Although the mineral contents of analysed sesame seeds vary based on local and imported sesame, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium are the most abundant minerals. The average values of heavy metals in sesame samples were determined as arsenic 0.062, lead 0.075, cadmium 0.090, mercury 0.113 and antimony 0.172 mg/kg. It was determined that the mineral contents of tahini samples produced from imported and domestic sesame seeds varied considerably. Considering the values given for tahini in the Turkish Food Codex Tahini Communiqué (maximum amount of arsenic is 0.2 mg/kg, maximum amount of lead is 0.3 mg/kg, maximum amount of copper is 18 mg/kg, and maximum amount of iron is 75 mg/kg); it was determined that arsenic and lead results were appropriate in all samples, four samples in copper analysis and seven samples in iron analysis were above the evaluation limit. According to the data obtained in the study, mineral content varies depending on variables such as the origin, colour and variety of sesame seed.