title: In vitro assessment of the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from sun-dried chilli peppers.
abstract: Chilli peppers have been recognized as an excellent source of antioxidants as they are rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as carotenoids which are known to exert various beneficial effects in vivo. Absorption is an important factor in the determination of the potential biological effects of carotenoids. The bioaccessibility of a food constituent such as a carotenoid represents its potential to be absorbed in humans. There is very limited information in the literature regarding the content and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from dried peppers. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: first, to determine the carotenoid content of 20 varieties of red, orange or yellow coloured sun-dried chilli peppers belonging to either of four Capsicum species (annuum, baccatum, chinense and chacoense); and second, to quantify the carotenoid micellarization (bioaccessibility) following an in vitro digestion procedure. Red peppers had a higher carotenoid content and bioaccessibility than either the orange peppers or yellow pepper. Xanthophylls showed greater bioaccessibility than carotenes. Our findings confirm that dried chilli peppers are a good source of carotenoids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, CS, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tundis
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Galvin
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Menichini
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Monica R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Loizzo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002212:Capsicum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D024341:Xanthophylls; D002338:Carotenoids