Chemical assessment and antioxidant capacity of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 53; pp. 240 - 248
• Main Authors: Silva, Luís R., Azevedo, Jessica, Pereira, Maria J., Valentão, Patrícia, Andrade, Paula B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: acetylcholinesterase; Acetylcholinesterase inhibition; antioxidant activity; Antioxidant potential; Antioxidants - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Capsicum - chemistry; Capsicum annuum; Capsicum annuum L; Cholinesterase Inhibitors - analysis; chromatography; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; food industry; free radicals; Medical sciences; metabolites; nitric oxide; organic acids and salts; pepper; Plant Extracts - analysis; Seeds; Seeds - chemistry; sterols; Target metabolites; Toxicology; triterpenoids; vegetables; Vegetables - chemistry; volatile compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; wastes; Acetylcholinesterase inhibition; Capsicum annuum L; Seeds; Target metabolites; Antioxidant potential; Targeting; Metabolite; Pepper; Chemical compound; Esterases; Acetylcholinesterase; Target; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Capsicum annuum; Solanaceae; Inhibition; Enzyme; Spice; Foodstuff; Antioxidant; Carboxylic ester hydrolases; Vegetable crop; Seed; Plant origin; Hydrolases; Flavoring crop; Spermatophyta; Inhibitor; EC 3.1.1.7
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.11.036

► Bioactive compounds in Capsicum annuum L. seeds. ► Comparison of “Reus long pairal” and “sweet Italian” varieties. ► Valorisation of pepper by-products for food industry. Capsicum annuum L. is reported to be the most widely cultivated species. Recently, waste of vegetable processing, like seeds, has been the subject of many studies as an attempt to find new, alternative and cheap resources of bioactive compounds with application in several industries. Despite their chemical, biological and ecological importance, C. annuum seeds are still poorly studied. To improve the knowledge on the metabolic profile of this matrix, a targeted metabolite analysis was performed in “sweet Italian” and “Reus long pairal” pepper seeds. Sterols, triterpenes, organic acids, fatty acids and volatile compounds were determined by different chromatographic methods. The antioxidant activity was assessed against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals. A concentration-dependent activity was noticed against all radicals. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity was also evaluated, but no effect was found. Data provide evidence of great similarities between “sweet Italian” and “Reus long pairal” pepper seeds. The present study indicates that C. annuum seeds are a potential source of valuable bioactive compounds that could be used in food industry.