Which carotenoid pigment is responsible for giving the orange bell pepper its characteristic hue?
Answer
Violaxanthin
The striking, vibrant color that defines the orange bell pepper is derived specifically from the presence of the carotenoid pigment called violaxanthin. Carotenoids are a class of pigments known for their antioxidant properties, and the specific type dictates the resulting color in fruits and vegetables. While orange peppers are also loaded with beta-carotene—a precursor the body converts into Vitamin A—it is violaxanthin that is specifically attributed to generating the orange glow. Beta-carotene provides systemic benefits by converting to Vitamin A, whereas violaxanthin is directly linked to the visual manifestation of the pepper's color stage.
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