The variability of morphological characters, chemical composition of oil and the antioxidant activity of the lipid from the seeds of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) from the south of Algeria

Abstract

This study investigates the morphological variability and lipid-based antioxidant potential of nine local landraces of *Sorghum bicolor L. Moench* collected from In Saleh, southern Algeria. Given sorghum’s adaptability to arid environments and the underexplored value of its lipid fraction, the research aimed to characterize both agronomic traits and bioactive compounds present in the seeds. Morphological analysis revealed significant variation in panicle size, seed density, and grain weight. Total lipids were extracted using Soxhlet extraction with hexane, and the oils were analyzed for their α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and sterol contents using spectrophotometric methods. Additionally, antioxidant activities of the lipid extracts were assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay. The results showed that white sorghum generally exhibited higher oil yields and tocopherol contents, whereas red sorghum demonstrated higher sterol concentrations in some cases. These findings highlight the nutraceutical potential of sorghum lipids and support the valorization of local landraces for food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical applications in sustainable and arid-land agriculture.