Apocarotenoids profiling in different Capsicum species

The present study report on the application of an on line supercritical fluid extraction-supercritical fluid chromatography-triple quadrupole/mass spectrometry methodology to the first apocarotenoids profiling of seventeen different chilli peppers cultivars belonging to Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum chinense species. A total of 19 free apocarotenoids and 8 apocarotenoids fatty acid esters were identified; β-Apo-8′-carotenal and Apo-8′-zeaxanthinal were also quantified and the β-Apo-8′-carotenal occurrence was in the percentage ranges relative to β-carotene of 0.03–3.87%. PCA was performed as a multivariate display method on the quantified carotenoids and apocarotenoids, in order to visualize the data structure. Moreover, different ε-apoluteinals and 4-oxo-apo-β-carotenals were detected in Capsicum species also for the first time and, to the best of authors knowledge, in any food matrix.