Natural Antioxidants for Preventing Color Loss in Stored Paprika

Abstract

ABSTRACT Oxidative carotenoid degradation causes paprika color loss during storage. Ethoxyquin, a synthetic antioxidant, is used in the spice industry to prevent carotenoid loss during postharvest handling. However, ethoxyquin treated paprika is unacceptable for some markets and consumers. Naturally derived antioxidants, i.e., rosemary extracts, ascorbic acid, δ‐tocopherol, and mixed tocopherols were tested as color protectants in two paprika cultivars. Extractable color, surface color and carotenoid concentrations were determined before storage and then monthly. After 4 mo storage at ambient temperature, the control treatment lost 63% of the initial extractable color, the δ‐tocopherol treated samples lost 32%, and the ethoxyquin lost 6% color.