Influence of hydrogen peroxide foliar applications on in vitro antimicrobial activity in Capsicum chinense Jacq.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar applications of hydrogen peroxide on the antimicrobial activity of Capsicum chinense Jacq. methanolic extracts. The effects of hydrogen peroxide application on metabolites accumulation of C. chinense var. Jaguar and var. Chichen Itza were evaluated. Total flavonoid and phenolic contents, as well as HPLC quantification of capsaicin and dihidrocapsaicin were carried out. Methanolic extracts were microbiologically tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutants, Salmonella thompson, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and capsaicinoids contents in both varieties treated with hydrogen peroxide were found significantly higher as compared to control. The antibacterial activity of chili extracts was observed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as anti-yeast. The results of in vitro antibacterial activity showed that hydrogen peroxide application increases the inhibitory effect against the pathogenic micro-organisms. Methanolic extracts of var. Jaguar, were the most active against S. aureus, S. Thompson, and C. albicans, while var. Chichen Itza was most potent against E. faecalis and E. coli. Thus, this study confirmed that metabolite-induced factors (MIFs) as hydrogen peroxide, increased secondary metabolites accumulation in C. chinense methanolic extracts and augmented their antimicrobial activity.