Anabisxidarat constituents of some greea pepper (Capsk~pman isuussz) culta'vars*

Abstract

Ten green pepper cultivars were analyzed during 2003 and 2004 showed significant variation in their antioxidant composition. Green pepper cultivars contained high levels of L-ascorbic acid and p-carotene contributing to 134-384 % recommended dietary allowance for vitamrn C and 0.05 to 5.00% RE1100g of pro-vitamin A activity. Cultivar Parker had highest provitamin- A content (50 RE11 00g). Rank order of total phenols in cultivars was 'Flamingo'> 'Bornby'> 'Manathan'> 'Nanathanl> 'Anupam'> 'HA 10385 'Torkel' > 'Parker1> 'HA 1145'. Except for capsaicin and chlorophyll content, green pepper cultivars showed significant variation with respect to p-carotenes and phenolics. 'Flamingo', 'Bomby' and 'Manathan' with high phenolics and antioxidant act~vitya re potential cultivars to be incorporated in breeding programmes. A large compositional diversity among pepper cultivars can be exploited by breeders to breed superior varieties with target levels of antioxidant compounds.