Effect of Organic Fertilizers on Selected Health Beneficial Bioactive Compounds and Aroma Profile of Red Topepo Sweet Pepper

Abstract

Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of red sweet pepper cv Topepo grown in soil amended with different organic fertilizers were compared with that grown in unamended soil. Organic fertilizers are an environmentally friendly alternative to recovery infertile soils that resulted from the intensified agricultural practices in red Topepo production. The aim was to discriminate the effects of organic fertilizers one from each other on the quality of red Topepo to find out the better sustainable fertilization practice for its cultivation. Results showed that compost from vegetable residues (CV) enhanced the synthesis of total phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, carotenoids, anthocyanins, as well as carbohydrates, antioxidant activities, and aroma profiling, compared to horse manure (HD), compost from olive pomace (CO), and control (CTR). The results indicated a specificity between the quality of red Topepo and compost composition, highlighting that vegetable residues increased the synthesis of secondary metabolites, enhancing sustainably, the nutraceutical, sensorial, and economic value of red Topepo. The fertilizer composition resulted largely responsible for the synthesis of bioactive compounds, flavor, and aroma of this fruit.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Plant-Based Foods—A Comparative Study on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity

“…In addition, these findings are consistent with results reported by Tarozzi et al [ 20 ], who reported that organic red oranges exhibited significantly higher total anthocyanins and total antioxidant activity than non-organic red oranges. Another case to emphasize is that of peppers, which showed the same pattern as oranges, statistically higher TAC, numerically higher TPC and TFaC, and consequently, numerically higher ORAC in ORG samples, showing conformity with what was proved by Muscolo et al [ 31 ], that organic fertilizers enhanced the synthesis of total phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, along with antioxidant activities of red Topepo sweet peppers compared to those grown in unfertilized soil. Based on the results obtained for hazelnut and tomato cultivars, it appears that the type of cultivation system, organic or non-organic, has a differential influence between cultivars of the same species.…”