COMPARATIVE CONTENT OF SOME BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN TWO VARIETIES OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L. SWEET PEPPER AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL AND MUTAGENIC ACTIVITIES

In the framework of a project aimed to select some genotypes of Capsicum annum potentially exploitable for giving high-quality products, this research compared the total content of some bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids and ascorbic acid) and the antioxidant activity between of two cultivars of "Corno di Toro" sweet peppers, commonly named "Lampo" and "Teseo." They were also investigated for their in vitro antimicrobial action against different bacteria and fungi, as well as for their mutagenic and antimutagenic activities. A relevant content of the active compounds was found, showing cultivar Lampo a higher content of polyphenols and a greater antioxidant potential. The antimicrobial action was different, exhibiting the compounds from variety "Lampo" a discrete activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Penicillium expansum, whereas extracts from "Teseo" showed inhibition against E. coli and Debaryomyces hansenii. The antimutagenic activity, assayed with Ames test by using the Salmonella typhimurium Histidine-requiring strain TA100, was significant, with a percentage of mutagenicity inhibition comparable to the negative control. The two cultivars could be of great interest as relevant polyphenols sources and for their antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a broadly diffused plant. The information gathered from our work can contribute to a better selection of those genotypes of C. annum potentially exploitable for giving high-quality products, in terms of biochemical compounds and antioxidant activity. With the emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, it is reasonable to explore new sources of natural compounds with antibiotic activities: our study showed the possibility to use the extracts of two genotypes of a common edible plant, like sweet pepper, as harmless and economical antibacterial and antifungal compounds. In view of the fact that several human diseases, like cancer, are recognized as taking place from free radical damage, the inclusion in the diet of those genotypes of sweet pepper with noteworthy antimutagenic property could contribute in the prevention or limitation of such disease.