Content of bioactive compounds in pungent spice red pepper (paprika) as affected by ripening and genotype

This work was conducted to investigate changes in the bioactive nutrient content of hot (pungent) paprika as a function of ripening in four of the most important varieties cultivated in Hungary. For the quantitative determination, recent liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods were applied. Forty carotenoids were separated, with beta -carotene and lutein of interest from the biological point of view. The major component of vitamin E was alpha -tocopherol. Capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin were the dominant pungency principles. As for vitamin C components, only ascorbic acid could be detected and determined. The results indicated that all the examined compounds were at low level in the mature green fruits, and the onset of climacteric ripening caused their content to grow. In accord with the advance in ripening, carotenoids were being formed even at the overripening stage, while tocopherols, capsaicinoids and ascorbic acid reached their maximum level at the colour break or red stage and then declined. The highest values with regard to carotenoids were estimated in SZ-178 and F0-3 cultivars. The best retention of ascorbic acid was found in SZ-178, which contained 4.86mg g(-1) dry matter in the dry pods. On the other hand, retention of alpha -tocopherol during ripening and natural drying was found to depend on variety. The highest value for vitamin E was recorded in SZ-178 followed by K-V-2, which contained the highest level of a-tocopherol at the red stage of ripening. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.