# Comparative Profiling of Capsicum frutescens and C. annuum Reveals Superior Bioactivities and Nutritional Advantages for Functional Food Applications

## TL;DR

This study compares the nutritional and bioactive properties of two chili pepper species, finding that Capsicum frutescens has stronger antioxidant and antibacterial effects, while Capsicum annuum offers complementary benefits for functional foods.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of nutritional and bioactive profiles of C. frutescens and C. annuum using standardized methods.

## Key findings

- C. frutescens showed 2.5-fold higher antioxidant capacity and stronger antibacterial activity compared to C. annuum.
- C. annuum had higher fiber, calcium, and phosphorus content, along with elevated flavonoid and saponin levels.
- Both species exhibited equivalent anti-arthritic activity, comparable to diclofenac sodium.

## Abstract

Despite the significance and growing global interest, limited comprehensive comparative investigation has simultaneously evaluated both nutritional composition and biological activities using standardized methodologies within a single analytical framework. This fragmented approach prevents identification of species‐specific advantages and limits evidence‐based recommendations for functional food or pharmaceutical applications. The current comparative study evaluated nutritional composition, phytochemical constituents, and biological activities of
Capsicum frutescens
and
Capsicum annuum
fruits. Proximate analysis revealed similar moisture content (71.49% ± 0.69% vs. 73.51% ± 0.64%) but distinct nutritional profiles:
C. frutescens
contained higher protein (1.88% ± 0.06% vs. 1.52% ± 0.01%, p = 0.004), while
C. annuum
showed elevated fiber (5.72% ± 0.03% vs. 5.18% ± 0.06%, p = 0.001). Mineral profiling demonstrated complementary patterns with
C. frutescens
richer in iron (4.91 vs. 3.18 mg/100 g), potassium (5.21 vs. 4.41 mg/100 g), and zinc (0.20 vs. 0.10 mg/100 g), whereas
C. annuum
contained higher calcium (6.21 vs. 4.91 mg/100 g) and phosphorus (5.78 vs. 4.06 mg/100 g). Methanol extracts (yield: 8.7% vs. 6.3% w/w) from both species contained alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins. While qualitative tests confirmed multiple phytochemical classes, individual compound identification was not performed due to resource constraints.
C. frutescens
exhibited 3.5‐fold higher phenolic content (18.85 ± 0.52 vs. 5.36 ± 0.28 μg gallic acid equivalents, GAE/mg, p < 0.001), while
C. annuum
showed elevated flavonoids (37.8% ± 1.2% vs. 20.73% ± 0.85 g rutin equivalents, RE, p < 0.001) and saponins (18.6% ± 0.7% vs. 13.3% ± 0.5 g diosgenin equivalents, DE, p = 0.002). Biological activity testing revealed
C. frutescens
demonstrated 2.5‐fold superior antioxidant capacity (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, DPPH Half Maximal Inhibitory Concentration, IC50: 111.96 ± 3.24 vs. 284.57 ± 5.87 μg/mL, p < 0.001), stronger antibacterial efficacy (inhibition zones: 8–22 vs. 7–14 mm), and two‐fold greater cytotoxic potential in the brine shrimp lethality assay (Lethal Concentration 50%, LC50: 29.24 ± 1.15 vs. 59.37 ± 2.34 μg/mL, p < 0.001), though validation in human cancer cell lines is necessary to confirm anticancer potential. Both species exhibited equivalent anti‐arthritic activity (99.57% ± 0.24% vs. 99.42% ± 0.31%), comparable to diclofenac sodium (99.78% ± 0.18%, p = 0.712). These findings establish species‐specific advantages supporting their complementary use in functional food and nutraceutical development, though further studies including individual compound identification via HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS and in vivo validation are necessary to confirm therapeutic applications.

Systematic bioactivity profiling revealed
C. frutescens
demonstrated significantly superior radical scavenging capacity (DPPH IC50: 111.96 ± 3.24 μg/mL; 2.5‐fold enhancement, p < 0.001), enhanced broad‐spectrum antibacterial efficacy (zone diameters: 8–22 mm), and notable cytotoxic activity meeting NCI preliminary criteria (LC50: 29.24 ± 1.15 μg/mL), attributed to 3.5‐fold higher total phenolic content.
C. annuum
exhibited complementary advantages including elevated flavonoid (37.8 g RE%) and saponin content with optimal mineral composition. Both species showed statistically equivalent protein denaturation inhibition (≈99.5%), comparable to diclofenac sodium reference, supporting species‐specific therapeutic applications and synergistic functional food development strategies.