Summary

The Australian sesame industry is set to emerge as a major industry for northern Australia on the back of non-shattering genetics that allow mechanical harvesting, high yield and elite quality. A barrier to developing the industry is access to dehulling capability to allow for further product and market development. Overseas, the commercial method of dehulling sesame is a wet process that utilises Lye (sodium hydroxide) to soften the skin of the sesame seed so it can be peeled or dehulled. Lye is an environmental contaminant, and in Australia would be considered a pollutant if disposed of in the same manner as in other countries. It is also a process that uses a lot of water, and therefore waste, and its management is an issue in Australia.

This project will investigate new dehulling processes that will allow most water used to be recycled and cleaned for re-use in the facility, and also create soil ameliorants rather than waste from the formulations used in the process.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

Savannah Ag Research Pty Ltd trading as Savannah Ag Consulting

Objective Summary

The objective of this project is to establish appropriate sesame dehulling processing technology and resulting biproduct uses that ensures the Australian sesame industry can create value added products and explore new market opportunities.