Cu Nanoparticles in Hydrogels of Chitosan-PVA Affects the Characteristics of Post-Harvest and Bioactive Compounds of Jalapeño Pepper.

Zeus H Pinedo-Guerrero,Adalberto Benavides-Mendoza,Alma Delia Hernández-Fuentes,And Antonio Juárez-Maldonado,Gregorio Cadenas-Pliego,Hortensia Ortega-Ortiz

doi:10.3390/molecules22060926

Abstract

Peppers are consumed all over the world due to the flavor, aroma, and color that they add to food. Additionally, they play a role in human health, as they contain a high concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidants. The treatments used were an absolute control, Cs-PVA, and four treatments with 0.02, 0.2, 2, and 10 mg (nCu) g−1 (Cs-PVA). The application of Cu nanoparticles in chitosan-PVA hydrogels increases the content of capsaicin by up to 51% compared to the control. This application also increases the content of antioxidants ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid)] and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), total phenols and flavonoids (4%, 6.6%, 5.9%, and 12.7%, respectively) in jalapeño pepper fruits stored for 15 days at room temperature; under refrigeration, it increases DPPH antioxidants, total phenols, and flavonoids (23.9%, 1.54%, and 17.2%, respectively). The application of Cu nanoparticles in chitosan-PVA hydrogels, even when applied to the substrate, not only has an effect on the development of the jalapeño pepper crop, but also modifies the post-harvest characteristics of the jalapeño pepper fruits.

Highlights

Mexico is the second greatest producer of fresh peppers worldwide, with an area of149,000 hectares, and its main export destinations are the United States, Canada, and Spain, among others [1]
Reflections are observed at the 2θ angles of Cu2 O at 29.9, 37, 42.6, 62.4, and 74.4 corresponding to the crystalline planes (110), (111), (200), (220), and (311) according to the Cu2 O diffraction patterns obtained from the equipment database
The application of Cu nanoparticles in hydrogels of chitosan-PVA affected plant growth, especially at high concentrations, but increased the number and average weight of fruits. This indicates that the application of nCu generates both positive and negative effects on the growth and development of the jalapeño pepper crop, depending on the dose applied

Summary

Introduction

Mexico is the second greatest producer of fresh peppers worldwide, with an area of149,000 hectares, and its main export destinations are the United States, Canada, and Spain, among others [1]. In Mexico, peppers are the eighth most economically valuable crop, with an average production volume of 2.2 million tons, of which approximately 900 thousand tons of fresh, dry, and processed peppers are exported [2]; in 2016, the production of peppers in its different varieties reached. Peppers are consumed all over the world due to the flavor, aroma, and color that they add to food. In addition to their sensory importance, peppers play a role in human health, as they contain a high concentration of bio-functional compounds and antioxidants that are important in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) are Molecules 2017, 22, 926; doi:10.3390/molecules22060926 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion