Variability in the Phytochemical Contents and Free Radical‐Scavenging Capacity of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum (Wild Piquin Chili)

The variability in the phytochemical concentrations of Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum has not been extensively analyzed among wild populations and ecologic niches in its phylogeographic area. This study aimed to determine the variations in the phytochemical and antioxidant contents of the wild Piquin chili. The total flavonoid content of hydroalcoholic extracts (0.06 to 0.70 mg equivalent of quercetin per gram of dry weight (mg QE/g DW)), free radical‐scavenging capacity for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^.) radicals (0.55 to 8.55 mm TE/g DW), amount of 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS⁺) in aqueous extracts (18.13 to 107.6 mm TE/g DW) and pungency (21,760 to 88,476 Scoville heat units) were highly variable. By analyzing the spatial distribution using the first three principal components, correlations between the phytochemical content and the free radical‐scavenging capacity (in both extracts) and flavonoid and phenolic contents (in the hydroalcoholic extract) were observed. Consistent with the statistical analysis, the spatial analysis showed intraregional differences in composition patterns, with an emphasis on central and coastal areas. Flavonoid contents, polyphenol contents and free radical‐scavenging activity were the phytochemical components that mainly contributed to the diversity of the population.