Sesame (Sesamum indicum L., 2n = 26), which belongs to the Sesasum genus of  the Pedaliaceae family, is one of  the oldest oilseed crops. Its cultivation history can be traced back to 3050-3500 BC in the Harappa Valley of  the Indian subcontinent. Sesame is one of the highest oil-contents crops in the world. The Seed oil content ranges from 45 to 63%, of which the principal fatty acids are oleic acid (18:1) (39.6%) and linoleic acid (18:2)(46.0%). Sesame seeds also contain a group of compounds called lignans, which have been reported to have many pharmacological properties, e.g. antioxidant activity, antihypertensive effects.Sesame is cultivated in tropicaland subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Southern America. Currently the total area of sesame harvested in the world is 7.8 million hectares, and annual production is 3.84 million tons. Being one of the four main sesame production countries,China has contributed 32.5%-15.2% of the total world sesame production over the past ten years (2001-2010, FAO data).