Dynamics of carotenoids and total phenolic compounds in commercial Chilli pepper varieties across ripening stages
Synopsis
Chilli peppers (Capsicum spp.) are valued for their flavour, colour, and bioactive compounds. Their global production has increased due to gastronomic and functional importance. This study aimed to quantify the total carotenoids and phenolic compounds in six chilli varieties cultivated in Ecuador, including giant yellow (Capsicum baccatum), chile (Capsicum chinense), criollo (Capsicum annuum), gallinazo (Capsicum frutescens), habanero manzano (Capsicum chinense), and jalapeño (Capsicum annuum). These are at different stages of ripeness, represented by the change in colour of the peel (M10 %, M50 %, M80 %). Bioactive compounds were extracted by ultrasound-assisted microextraction and quantified by spectrophotometry and microplate reader, with phenols determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Results revealed species- and ripening-dependent trends. “gallinazo” and “habanero manzano” showed the highest phenolic content at 80 %. Carotenoids increased progressively during ripening, with “habanero manzano” and “gallinazo” reaching maximum levels at M80 %. These findings highlight the influence of genotype and maturity on the accumulation of bioactive compounds, which is relevant for food and nutraceutical applications.
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