Sesame oil |

Last updated: 22/08/2025
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(Also known as: oil of sesame; benniseed oil; teel oil; gingilli oil) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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An oil from the sesame plant used to control soil-borne pests and diseases |
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Soil-borne pests and diseases; Common housefly Musca domestica; Nematodes including the peanut root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood and soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines |
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Agricultural and horticultural crops |
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Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Lamiales; Family: Pedaliaceae |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Sesame seed oil itself is a complex mixture and some of its individual components can exist as isomers. For example, Sesamin and sesamolin are stereoisomers, linoleic acid can exist in both the cis- and trans-forms. |
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No |
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Insecticide; Nematicide; Fungicide |
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Plant-derived substance; Plant oil |
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Natural; Complex mixture |
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Non-toxic mode of action. As an insecticide it has a suffocating and synergistic mode of action (with pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids) |
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Derived mainly from various parts of the sesame plant (Sesamum indicum) |
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Crop protection |
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Soil-borne pests and diseases; Common housefly Musca domestica; Nematodes including the peanut root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood and soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines |
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Agricultural and horticultural crops |
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8008-74-0 |
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232-370-6 |
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072401 |
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sesame oil |
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USEPA minimum risk pesticide |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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Pale yellow liquid |
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Current |
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used for centuries in traditional medicine and agriculture; late 20th century, informal use recorded; 2000s, listed for agricultral use as low risk substance |
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- Fediol
- Unilever
- Sesaco USA
- Joyva USA
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Sesame oil is often combined with other essential oils like thyme, clove, or peppermint and formulated into foliar sprays, soil drenches and ready-to-use products |
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Commercial production of sesame oil begins with the cultivation of Sesamum indicum. Once harvested, the sesame seeds are cleaned and dried before undergoing one of several extraction methods. The most common industrial techniques include mechanical pressing using screw or hydraulic presses and cold pressing, which preserves the oil’s nutritional value and flavour. In some regions, traditional methods like stone mill extraction are still used, especially for premium or aromatic varieties. The extracted oil is then filtered to remove impurities and may be refined depending on its intended use. |
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Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used. |
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Miscible |
Chloroform |
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Miscible |
Ether |
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504 |
(sesamin) |
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255 |
(closed cup) |
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0.920 |
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80 |
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Moderately persistent |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 50000 |
Mouse |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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> 50000 |
Mouse |
Low |
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2000 |
Rabbit |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
No data found |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
No data found |
No data found |
No data found |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
No data found |
?Possibly, status not identified |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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?Possibly, status not identified |
No data found |
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Exhibits anti-oxidant properties Possible allergen - cases of the oil causing anaphylaxis shock Some data suggests sesame oil is an equivocal carcinogen |
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Not explosive Not compatible with strong oxidising agents |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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Not regulated |
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Stable at normal ambient temperatures |
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sesame oil |
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Record last updated: |
22/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |