Abstract

Red peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) that are eliminated as waste due to its low quality for commercialization were used as raw material to recover bioactive compounds in a biorefinery approach. The effect of temperature (40, 60 degrees C) and pressure (15, 25, 35 MPa) was evaluated on the oleoresin extraction yield and carotenoids composition obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The effect of drying technique (solar drying, conventional oven, and freeze-drying) was evaluated. Sequentially, the effect of solvent type (100% ethanol and 75% (vol/vol) ethanol) using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) was evaluated on the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The best SFE condition was 60 degrees C and 25 MPa. The drying methods did not significantly affect carotenoids recovery by SFE. For PLE, the composition of the solvent influenced the extraction yield and composition. The highest values for total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were obtained using 100% ethanol as solvent.