Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is one of the most popular and ancient roots of Brazil and it can be consumed at different forms such as boiled, roasted or as sweets. Its cooking can lead to physicochemical transformations altering the nutritional properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of twelve sweet potato genotypes of varying pulp color in natura and roasted. Soluble solids, acidity, sugars, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were analyzed in the following sweet potatoes genotypes: cream pulp (Rubissol, Cuia, ILS03, ILS10, ILS12, ILS24 and ILS44); orange pulp (Amelia and Beauregard); and purple pulp (ILS56, ILS16 and ILS71). According to the results, it was observed a wide variation among the sweet potato genotypes for all analyzed parameters, in both preparation forms. The antioxidant capacity was a parameter with wide variation among genotypes, 210.29 to 7870.57µg trolox equivalent/g in in natura form and 673.26 to 17306.22µg trolox equivalent/g in roasted form. Soluble solids, acidity, sugars and bioactive compounds, with the exception of carotenoids, tended to be concentrated, also increases the total antioxidant capacity, in roasted sweet potatoes. In conclusion, genotype and the color of sweet potatoes were parameters that had an influence on its chemical composition. Cultivars such as Amelia and Beauregard stood out by the amounts of total soluble solids and carotenoids, respectively. The selections ILS 16 and ILS 56 are recommended as sources of anthocyanins. Thermal process influenced the concentration of antioxidant compounds and changed some physicochemical characteristics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability for synthesis of bioactive compounds in pepper (Capsicum annuum, Solanaceae). Total phenolics, anthocyanins, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were evaluated in 14 accessions of Capsicum annuum from the Capsicum Genebank of Embrapa Temperate Agriculture (Pelotas -RS, Brazil). Thirty plants of each accession were cultivated in the field during spring and summer. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with 14 treatments (accessions) and three replications. The laboratory evaluations followed the same experimental design to field, but with two repetitions more. Seeds were discarded and opposite longitudinal portions of fruits were manually prepared for chemical analyzes. The data obtained showed high genetic variability for phenolics, anthocyanins, carotenoids and antioxidant activity. The P39, P77, P119, P143 and P302 accessions exhibited the highest levels of antioxidants, which are strongly indicated to be used in breeding programs of Capsicum peppers.Keywords: Solanaceae; genetic resources; ex situ conservation; characterization.Practical Application: Capsicum accessions can be introduced into human diet due to their functional properties and health benefits.

ABSTRACT Colored flesh potatoes contain high concentrations of phytochemicals, such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, which have therapeutic effects and promoters of human health. The objective of the study was to evaluate the concentration of bioactive compounds and industrial quality and yield traits of potato tubers. Four experiments were carried out in Pelotas-RS. In 2012 and 2013, tuber yield traits were evaluated and in 2014 and 2015, the bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, anthocyanins and carotenoids), antioxidant activity and industrial quality traits [glucose content, dry matter (%) and frying color] were assessed. Clones C2715-01-09, C2721-22-09 and C2743-01-09, having fully pigmented purple flesh presented high concentrations of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity and reasonable processing quality traits and yield potential. Clone C2743-09-09 with white flesh interspersed with purple was the most productive and had good processing attributes, but showed lower levels of bioactive compounds and moderate antioxidant activity when compared to completely purple clones.