Detection of hydrocarbons in irradiated and roasted sesame seeds

Hydrocarbons produced by γ‐radiation of sesame seed were analyzed to determine the relation of irradiation dose to the production of hydrocarbons and to eventually use them as markers for identifying post‐irradiated sesame seed. Hydrocarbons in sesame seed were determined by a sequential procedure of lipid extraction by hexane, Florisil column chromatography, and gas chromatography. 16:2, 16:3, 17:1, and 17:2 were prominently detected in irradiated sesame seed, 17:2 was detected in seed irradiated at 0.1 kGy or higher, and the others were detected at 0.5 kGy or higher. These hydrocarbons were not detected in unirradiated sesame seeds that were raw, roasted, whole, ground, or stored.