The Role of Fermentation and Drying on the Changes in Bioactive Properties, Seconder Metabolites, Fatty Acids and Sensory Properties of Green Jalapeño Peppers

In this study, the influence of fermentation and different drying techniques on the bioactive components, antioxidant activity, phenolic components, fatty acids, nutrients and sensory characteristics of fresh and processed jalapeño peppers was investigated. At the end of the fermentation, the pH, acidity and salt values of the brine were determined as 3.38, 0.09% and 6.02 g/100 mL, respectively. The oil results of pepper samples were found between 2.0% (microwave and air) and 2.60% (oven). Total carotenoid and total phenolic amounts of fresh (control) and processed peppers (air, conventional, microwave and fermentation) were characterized to be between 3.38 (fermented) and 65.68 µg/g (air) to 45.81 (fermented) and 350.69 mg GAE/100 g (microwave), respectively. Total flavonoid quantities of fresh and processed pepper samples were defined to be between 14.17 (fresh) and 482.74 mg/100 g (microwave). 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and catechin amounts in fresh and processed jalapeño peppers were defined to be between 0.43 (fermented) and 11.0 mg/100 g (microwave) to 1.36 (fermented) and 44.87 mg/100 g (microwave), respectively. The predominant fatty acids of pepper oils were palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid. The oleic acid amounts of fresh and processed jalapeño pepper oils were specified to be between 9.52% (air drying) and 29.77% (fermented), while the linoleic acid values of pepper oils vary between 10.84% (fermented) and 68.38% (air drying). The major elements of fresh and processed peppers were K, P, S, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn in decreasing order. Protein amounts in fresh and processed jalapeño peppers were characterized to be between 8.59 (fermented) and 12.22% (oven). As a result of panelist evaluations, the most appreciated features (4.83 score) were the flavor, color and texture feature.