Guzman returns to PHHI to assess bioaccessibility of phytochemicals in peppers.

Dr. Ivette Guzman, who is now an assistant professor in horticulture at New Mexico State University, worked at PHHI from 2010-2013 as a post doc in the labs of Dr. Alan Brown and Dr. Mary Ann Lila. For the past 2 weeks, she has been working in Dr. Mario Ferruzzi’s lab conducting bioaccessibility studies of lutein and zeaxanthin (yellow pigments) in chili peppers. Dr. Guzman brought samples from 8 chili pepper varieties from the Chili Pepper Institute to evaluate. Lutein and zeaxanthin are phytochemicals that offer neuroprotective health benefits and aid in cognitive thinking.