Characterization of biochemical compounds and antioxidant activity of “dedo-de-moça” chili pepper accessions

ABSTRACT Capsicum baccatum is one of the main chili pepper species grown and consumed in South America. In Brazil, C. baccatum var. pendulum is widely cultivated, especially “dedo-de-moça” type. For most horticultural crops, including Capsicum species their diversity remains under-explored for traits related to fruit quality, since over the past half century breeding efforts have focused mainly on good agronomic performances. The investment in screening traits such as flavor, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content in traditional varieties is very important to support fruit quality breeding efforts. Thus, the objective of this study was accessing the variations into content of soluble solid, acidity, capsaicinoid, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (in vitro and in vivo) of five “dedo-de-moça” peppers accessions. The results evidenced that UEL111 and UEL112 accessions showed highest TSS and ratio. Accessions UEL110 and UEL112 showed highest concentration of vitamin C and total phenolic content and UEL113 accession showed highest concentration of capsaicinoids. In vitro antioxidant assays suggest the UEL114 with highest antioxidant activity. In vivo antioxidant assays have not identified differences among the accessions and proved the antioxidant effect of chili pepper extracts on cell protection against stress agent. The results highlighted accessions that can be exploited in chili pepper breeding programs.