Tsagkaris Aristeidis S, Cafarella Cinzia, Rigano Francesca, Louckova Anna, Dugo Paola, Mondello Luigi, Hajslova Jana
Department of Food Analysis and Nutrition, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28, Prague 6 - Dejvice, Prague, Czech Republic.
Messina Institute of Technology c/o Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, former Veterinary School, University of Messina, Viale G. Palatucci snc, 98168 - Messina, Italy.
Food Res Int. 2025 Nov;219:117051. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.117051. Epub 2025 Jul 26.
Chili peppers have been under the spotlight of bioactivity research as they feature a diverse and rich phytochemical profile with multiple health promoting effects. These beneficial properties are related to the chemical composition of chili peppers and is of utmost importance to identify varieties with the strongest bioprospecting potential. In this study, 19 chili pepper varieties were investigated originating from Capsicum annuum L. (n = 3), Capsicum baccatum L. (n = 3) and Capsicum chinense Jacq. (n = 13) species. Firstly, a suspect screening based on a spectral library was applied and the bioactive profile of all samples was acquired using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-q-TOF-MS). The ethanolic extracts were richer in bioactive compounds and exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Then, 6 different enzyme assays were performed targeting enzymes involved in non-communicable diseases, such as cholinesterases involved in Alzheimer's disease or pancreatic lipase in obesity. The strongest inhibitory effect was noticed for 6 Capsicum chinense Jacq. varieties (half maximal inhibitory concentration ranging between 0.56 and 9.2 mg/mL), namely Moruga, Naga chocolate, Bhut jolokia, Carolina reaper, Trinidad scorpion moruga and Naga morich. By using the enzyme inhibitory profile, it was feasible to discriminate these 6 varieties from the rest tested based on a principal component analysis (PCA) model. Moderate and strong correlations were also noticed between the relative content of the identified compounds and the enzyme inhibition. Naringenin, a flavanone, and vanillic acid, a phenolic acid, strongly correlated towards human acetylcholinesterase and alpha glucosidase inhibition, respectively. Overall, the presented results underscore the high potential of Capsicum chinense Jacq. species to be used as sources of bioactive natural compounds for nutraceutical applications.
辣椒因其具有多样且丰富的植物化学成分以及多种促进健康的功效，一直处于生物活性研究的 spotlight 之下。这些有益特性与辣椒的化学成分相关，识别具有最强生物勘探潜力的品种至关重要。在本研究中，对源自辣椒（n = 3）、灯笼椒（n = 3）和中国辣椒（n = 13）品种的 19 个辣椒品种进行了调查。首先，基于光谱库进行可疑物筛选，并使用超高效液相色谱混合四极杆飞行时间质谱（UHPLC-q-TOF-MS）获取所有样品的生物活性图谱。乙醇提取物中生物活性化合物含量更高，且表现出最高的抗氧化能力。然后，针对与非传染性疾病相关的酶进行了 6 种不同的酶活性测定，例如与阿尔茨海默病相关的胆碱酯酶或肥胖症中的胰腺脂肪酶。6 个中国辣椒品种表现出最强的抑制作用（半数最大抑制浓度在 0.56 至 9.2 mg/mL 之间），即莫鲁加、那伽巧克力、魔鬼椒、卡罗莱纳死神、特立尼达莫鲁加毒蝎和那伽莫里奇。通过酶抑制图谱，基于主成分分析（PCA）模型可以将这 6 个品种与其余测试品种区分开来。在所鉴定化合物的相对含量与酶抑制之间也发现了中度和强相关性。黄酮类化合物柚皮素和酚酸香草酸分别与人乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制和α-葡萄糖苷酶抑制密切相关。总体而言，所呈现的结果强调了中国辣椒品种作为营养保健品应用中生物活性天然化合物来源的巨大潜力。
