Assessment of functional compounds and antioxidant properties of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuumL.) under middle hill conditions of western Himalayas

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Sweet pepper or capsicum is one of the most important vegetables. It is rich in nutrients beneficial to human health. The eight sweet pepper cultivars, viz., SP-701, SP-24, EC-579997, SP-7, SP-19, DARL-70, DARL-71 and capsicum violet were grown in middle hill conditions of western Himalayas at an altitude of 5500 feet above the sea level. The content of ascorbic acid, β Carotene, phenolics and antioxidant activity were analyzed at three ripening stages (green, intermediate and red). There was gradual increase in ascorbic acid content, β Carotene, phenolics and antioxidant activity from green, intermediate to red ripened stages. Among the genotypes, DARL 70 had highest amount of ascorbic acid content (mg/100 g), i.e., 278 (Green), 350 (Intermediate) and 454 (Red) followed by genotype DARL 71, i.e., 269 (Green), 315 (Intermediate) and 443 (Red). Genotype Violet Capsicum exhibited the highest β Carotene content i.e., 547.16 (Green), 612.30 (Intermediate) and 865.30 (Red). Maximum increase in phenol content from green, intermediate to red stage, i.e., 64.5, 116.2 and 172.3 respectively was found in the genotype Capsicum Violet. Capsicum Violet also showed highest antioxidant activity of 1.14 IC50 followed by SP 7 (1.28 IC50). Selection for high ascorbic acid, phenolics, β Carotene and high anti oxidant activity will result in cultivars with improved functional quality. These selected genotypes may be useful as parents in hybridization program to produce fruits with good nutritional quality and antioxidant rich hybrids and varieties.