• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-400
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• 2022

Postharvest quality of sweet pepper fruits was mainly defined as external appearance, i.e., shape, fruit weight and surface color. These quality traits tend to involve esthetic appeal, it disregards gustatory properties and nutritional value. However, comparative studies according to the marketability of sweet pepper fruits are insufficient. This study was carried out to compare the physicochemical components, antioxidant activity and carotenoid contents of marketable and unmarketable sweet pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum L.). Physicochemical components (proximate composition, minerals and total phenolic contents) and antioxidant activities using various methods were investigated. The proximate composition values (%) of marketable and unmarketable fruits were: moisture (90.28 and 90.29), ash (0.74 and 0.26), crude protein (0.67 and 0.72), crude lipid (0.38 and 0.32). There were no significant differences in antioxidant activity, while total phenolic content was higher in marketable fruit. Carotenoids contents were 29.3 ± 2.6 and 31.9 ± 2.9 ㎍·g^-1 in marketable and unmarketable fruits respectively, and identified β-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Lutein and capsaicin were not detected. In this study, potential value of unmarketable sweet pepper fruit could be identified to be applied as a food ingredient and functional food material.