Background: Carotenoid-rich foods are associated with antioxidant activity and the ability to alleviate chronic diseases.
Purpose: The present study investigated the effect of processing on the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from 13 cultivars of red chili pepper (Capsicum annuum).
Methods: Carotenoids in chili peppers were analyzed before an in vitro digestion process. The portion of carotenoid transferred to the micelle fraction (bioaccessibility) was also quantified.
Results: β-Carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, capsanthin and antheraxanthin were the most abundant carotenoids. Zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin and lutein were detected at lower concentrations. In general, freezing and boiling reduced carotenoid contents. Capsanthin and zeaxanthin had the highest bioaccessibility at an average value from 36 to 40%, followed by antheraxanthin (26%). Bioaccessibility of β-cryptoxanthin, violaxanthin and β-carotene was lower, averaging 6.1, 4.8 and 4.0%, respectively. Neoxanthin and lutein were not detected in micelles. Freezing increased the bioaccessibility of capsanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and violaxanthin; β-cryptoxanthin bioaccessibility increased and capsanthin and zeaxanthin bioaccessibility decreased following boiling.
Conclusions: Differences in the contents and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in 13 C. annuum cultivars and between the processed methods were herein evidenced.