Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of colored peppers (Capsicum annuum L.).

ABSTRACT

Peppers are spices consumed all around the world. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple peppers. Total capsaicinoids showed the highest concentration in the green pepper (2416.50 µg/g). Vitamin C showed similar concentrations in all peppers (28.90-30.95 mg/g), except for the purple pepper (25.59 mg/g). Chlorophyll was abundant in the green and the purple peppers (280.36 and 102.13 mg/100 g). Total carotenoid was abundant in the red and the orange peppers (237.04 and 276.94 mg/100 g). Total anthocyanin was detected only in the purple pepper (67.13 mg/100 g). Total flavonoid showed a high concentration in the green and the purple peppers (24.27 and 22.27 CAE mg/g). The yellow pepper showed the highest antioxidant activity according to total polyphenol, DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays. Therefore, peppers showed potential for the development of functional food materials.