Abstract:In order to analyze the quality characteristics of sesame seed with different colors, 13 nutritional quality traits of 157 sesame germplasm resources with different seed coat colors (white, yellow, brown, and black) were tested and analyzed in Wuhan and Zhumadian. The results showed that average oil content of 157 sesame germplasm was 52.96%, and the average contents of oleic acid, linoleic acid, sesamin, sesamolin, campesterol, and β-sitosterol were 40.65%, 44.32%, 2.67 mg/g, 1.61 mg/g, 1.22 mg/g and 2.96 mg/g, respectively. The average oil content decreased gradually with the deepening of seed coat color. The total sterol content was the highest in black sesame. The content of sesamin and sesamin was the highest in white sesame and the lowest in black sesame. Oleic acid content of yellow sesame and linoleic acid content of brown sesame were the highest. Oil content, oleic acid content, sesamin and sesamolin content of black sesame were significantly lower than those in white sesame, but no significant differences in contents of stearic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, campesterol and β-sitosterol in sesame seeds with different colors were observed. Among the 13 nutritional quality traits, there were significant positive correlations between β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, Δ5-avenasterol and stigmasterol, sesamin and sesamolin, sesamin and oil content, sesamolin and campesterol, and significant negative correlations between oleic acid and linoleic acid. The correlation coefficients between Δ5-avenasterol and stigmasterol, sesamin and sesamolin were higher in black sesame than in sesame with other colors. The 157 sesame genotypes were divided into four subgroups by cluster analysis. The first and second subgroups were mainly brown black and yellow white sesame, respectively. The third subgroup contained high sesame materials, and the fourth subgroup contained high linoleic acid materials and high oil content materials. Collectively, this study explored the quality characteristics of sesame seed with different colors, which provided reference and excellent germplasm for utilization and genetic improvement of sesame germplasm resources.