CONTENT OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN FRUITS OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L

The study of the chemical composition of natural raw materials allows not only to obtain data on the peculiarities of its structure and organization, but also to find new chemical compounds with useful qualities. The search for new biologically active compounds that can be used in pharmacology and pharmacy, food chemistry, and experimental research in various areas is particularly effective. The aim of the work was to determine the quantitative content of capsaicinoids and carotenoids in the fruits of Capsicum annuum L. Ripe fruits of Capsicum annuum L. varieties Ukrainian bitter, Kharkiv bitter, Astrakhansky, Kharuz were selected for the study. The fruits were dried to a constant weight. The study of the content of capsaicinoids was carried out with their preliminary separation using thin-layer chromatography, after which the optical density was measured by the photocalorimetric method. To study the content of carotenoids, they were pre-cleaned from other extractive substances, after which the optical density was measured by the photocalorimetric method. It was established that the fruits of all studied varieties meet the state standard for the content of capsaicinoids. The predominant capsaicinoid was capsaicin (60-80%). The content of dihydrocapsaicin ranged from 15 to 30%. The total content of carotenoids for most varieties exceeded 2 mg / 1 g of fruit pulp. The predominant fraction was red (60-70%). The fruits of all studied varieties of Capsicum annuum L. can be used as plant raw materials for the further production of pharmaceutical preparations.