Postharvest conditions of Capsicum annuum and their effect on hot sauce added Ananas comosus

Postharvest handling of ingredients directly influences the sensory quality and stability of derived food products. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the postharvest condition of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) (fresh or dehydrated) and its proportion with pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of a hot sauce. A completely randomized design with a factorial A×B arrangement (chili condition × pineapple percentage) was used, generating six treatments with three replications. Physicochemical variables were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P≤0.05), while sensory attributes were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Treatments with dehydrated chili (T4–T6) showed higher pH, soluble solids content, and favorable sensory attributes such as color and flavor, with T4 (40% pineapple) standing out due to its high acceptability and lower pungency perception. In contrast, treatments with fresh chili (T1–T3) exhibited higher acidity, moisture, and pungency threshold, negatively affecting texture and overall perception. T6 reached the highest °Brix content (22.87), while T1 had the highest moisture (78.42%) and pungency (3.90). It is concluded that the use of dehydrated chili, especially in combination with 40–50% pineapple, significantly improves physicochemical and sensory parameters, enhancing product stability and consumer acceptance. These findings highlight the importance of postharvest handling in optimizing the formulation of value-added food products by balancing flavor, texture, and stability.