Effects of spices mixture and cooking on phytochemical content in Ethiopian spicy hot red pepper products

Abstract

AbstractSpicy hot red pepper, the most popular spice in Ethiopia, is also locally known as berbere, which is highly valued for its pungency, flavor, and color. The spicy hot red pepper powder is used to flavor shiro and other stews, as well as different forms of condiments. The aim of this study was to measure the phytochemical content of raw spices (black cumin, garlic, ginger, and cardamom) and control hot red pepper (HRP), as well as the raw and cooked experimental and commercial spicy hot red pepper products. The samples were analyzed for phytochemical content using a spectrophotometer. Compared to raw experimental spicy hot red pepper, raw spices, and HRP, raw commercial spicy hot red pepper exhibited the highest bioactive phytochemicals. The cooked commercial spicy hot red pepper or sauté had the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) and total carotenoid content (TCC). Similarly, cooked experimental spicy hot red pepper contained the highest levels of total phenolic content (TPC) and β‐carotene. With r values ranging from 0.24 to 0.65, the TPC and TFC of raw spices were correlated with antioxidant activity. There was a significant correlation between TCC and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (r = .71), 2, 2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (r = .95), and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (r = .76), as well as between β‐carotene and DPPH (r = .69), FRAP (r = .69), and ferrous ion chelating activity (FICA) (r = .78). This study verified that raw spices and their mix with hot red pepper are good sources of bioactive phytochemicals with radicals scavenging abilities in Ethiopian diets.