Bell Pepper Fruit Research Articles

A Simple and Useful Method to Apply Exogenous NO Gas to Plant Systems: Bell Pepper Fruits as a Model.

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved many physiological plant processes, including germination, growth and development of roots, flower setting and development, senescence, and fruit ripening. In the latter physiological process, NO has been reported to play an opposite role to ethylene. Thus, treatment of fruits with NO may lead to delay ripening independently of whether they are climacteric or nonclimacteric. In many cases different methods have been reported to apply NO to plant systems involving sodium nitroprusside, NONOates, DETANO, or GSNO to investigate physiological and molecular consequences. In this chapter a method to treat plant materials with NO is provided using bell pepper fruits as a model. This method is cheap, free of side effects, and easy to apply since it only requires common chemicals and tools available in any biology laboratory.

СОЧЕТАННЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ КОНСЕРВИРОВАНИЯ ПИЩЕВЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ БАРЬЕРОВ

In this work, we investigate a combined effect of bioprotective cultures and inert gas packaging on the preservation of semi-finished vegetable products under the conditions of standard refrigerated storage. For the preparation of semi-finished vegetable products, fruits of red and yellow bell pep-per, zucchini and eggplant, as well as celery stalks and Iceberg lettuce heads were used. These products were packaged using a flat multilayer film PA/adhesive/PE and a combined film material PET/A1/PE (Lyon company, Russia), along with food gas mixtures Biogon ®NC20 and Biogon ®NC40 (Linde Gas, Russia). Microbial single-strain preparations produced by Chr. Hansen (Den-mark) were used as biobarrier cultures. Technological recommendations for treating semi-finished vegetable products by a suspension of bioprotective cultures, which are resistant to the inert gas media of Biogon ® NC40, are presented. The products were packaged in a gas-barrier film using a mixture of Biogon ® NC40. The as-packaged semi-finished products were stored in a refrigeration chamber at a temperature not exceeding 4 ± 2 °C. The effect of the modified gas media of Biogon ® NC40 and Biogon ® NC20 on the viability of Lactobacillus sakei, Pediococcus acidilactici surva-tus, Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc carnosum cultures was studied. A mixture of Biogon NC40 and Lactobacillus sakei is found to be optimal for preserving the quality of semi-finished pepper, egg-plant and zucchini. Iceberg lettuce is best preserved using Leuconostoc carnosum. The proposed method for the bio-preservation of semi-finished vegetable products has been introduced into production in the Russian company 'Velikoross' (St.-Petersburg).

Postharvest hexanal vapor treatment delays ripening and enhances shelf life of greenhouse grown sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

Aqueous compositions of hexanal, an inhibitor of phospholipase D, has been shown to enhance the shelf life and quality of fruits and vegetables. In the present study, sweet bell pepper fruit were exposed to hexanal vapor and its effect on quality attributes, shelf-life, and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated during storage at 7day intervals for 21d. Peppers subjected to hexanal vapor treatments (0.005, 0.01, and 0.02%, w/w) showed a significant (p<0.05) delay in ripening process and preservation of postharvest qualities than untreated peppers, even at 21d of storage. Treated fruit were characterized by increased firmness, a reduction in physiological water loss and lower electrical conductivity than control fruit, which indicated better membrane preservation. These treatments also resulted in an increase in the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically that of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and guaiacol peroxidase. Evidences from the present study indicate that postharvest hexanal vapor treatment at optimal levels can effectively enhance the quality and shelf life of sweet bell peppers.

Quality of Yellow Bell Pepper Fruits Cultivated in Fertilized Soil with Yellow Water and Cassava Wastewater

Currently there is a great need for reuse of water in agricultural activity, aiming at reducing environmental impacts and production costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fruit production of hybrid Satrapo bell pepper, under fertilization with yellow water and cassava wastewater. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located at Campina Grande city, PB. The experimental design was completely randomized, with eight treatments and five replications, totaling 40 experimental plots. The treatments were characterized by fertilization with cattle manure (EB); NPK; human urine (HU); cassava wastewater (M); cassava wastewater and human urine (UH+M); the double volume of human urine (2xUH); the double volume of cassava wastewater (2xM); and the double volume of human urine and cassava wastewater (2xUH+M). At 60 day after transplanting (DAT) were evaluated the diameter, thickness of mesocarp, fresh and dry phytomass and number of lobes of yellow bell pepper fruits.According to the results, there were significant differences in the variables analyzed due to the treatments applied. The treatment corresponding to 2xM provided the highest results for length, diameter, thickness of the mesocarp, fresh and dry phytomass of the bell pepper fruits. On the contrary, 2xUH was the treatment that provided the lowest values for these variables and provided the highest number of lobes.

Plastic-mulched Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Plant Growth and Fruit Yield and Quality as Influenced by Irrigation Rate and Calcium Fertilization

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants have a high demand for water and nutrients. Water stress on bell pepper is associated with reduced yields and incidence of blossom-end rot (BER). High irrigation rates are commonly applied to maximize yields. Excessive irrigation rates, however, may negatively affect bell pepper plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation rates and calcium fertilization on plant growth and fruit yield and quality. Trials were conducted in the spring of 2001, 2003, and 2005 at the University of Georgia, Tifton Campus. Drip-irrigated bell pepper (‘Camelot’ or ‘Stiletto’) plants were grown on black plastic mulch. Plants were irrigated with rates that ranged from 33% to 167% of the rate of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Results showed that irrigation at 70% ETc (2001), 67% ETc (2003), and 50% ETc (2003) were sufficient to maximize vegetative growth and fruit yield and provided yields similar to those at 100% ETc. Leaf net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (gS) were reduced, and incidence of BER was increased with reduced irrigation rates (33% and 67% ETc). Incidences of soilborne diseases (Pythium spp. and Phytophtora capsici) tended to increase in plants receiving excessive irrigation rates (167% ETc). Irrigation rate also affected fruit quality; incidence of BER and fruit soluble solids were both increased at 33% ETc. Calcium fertilization had no effect on soil water content (SWC), plant growth, and incidence of soilborne diseases, and an inconsistent effect on fruit yield and incidence of BER. In conclusion, there is potential for use of irrigation at rates below 100% ETc. Reduced irrigation diminished the volumes of water applied and provided fruit yields similar to those at 100% ETc. Excessive irrigation rates (167% ETc or above) wasted water and resulted in both higher incidences of soilborne diseases and reduced bell pepper yields.

Nitrogen and potassium fertigation in bell pepper cultivated in greenhouse using fertigation managements

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different managements of fertigation and NK doses on the production of bell pepper fruit in a protected environment. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 3 x 5 factorial. The treatments were formed by the combination of three managements of fertigation (M1 - Based on the rate of absorption; M2 - Monitoring the electrical conductivity of the soil solution; M3 - Monitoring concentrations of N and K ions in the soil solution), with five doses of NK (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200% of the recommended dose) and four replicates. Six samples were collected and the following variables were evaluated: number, length and diameter of fruit, pulp thickness and fruit production. Except for diameter, all variables were affected by the interaction between the studied factors. The fertigation management by monitoring and controlling the ionic concentration of the soil solution is more efficient in the production of bell pepper. The fertigation management can be performed more efficiently from the managements M2 or M3, with NK doses of 144 and 165%, respectively, of the recommended concentration for the hydroponic cultivation of bell pepper.

Production System and Cultivar Effects on the Development of Skin Separation or “Silvering” in Bell Pepper Fruit

From 2006 to 2008, four different production systems and five bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum) with either no resistance (Alliance and Camelot), tolerance (Revolution), or resistance (Paladin and Aristotle) to the crown rot phase of phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) were evaluated for the development of skin separation or “silvering” in fruit at a research facility and four commercial vegetable farms in southern New Jersey. Cultivar, production system, and year, each had a significant effect on the total percentage of fruit with skin separation and marketable yield. The percentage of bell pepper fruit with skin separation was higher in both phytophthora-resistant cultivars compared with the phytophthora-susceptible cultivars across all four production systems. Marketable yield was highest when bell peppers were grown in double rows on raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation compared with bell peppers grown on single rows on raised beds with black plastic mulch and drip irrigation and bell peppers grown on single rows on raised, bare ground beds with buried drip irrigation. Marketable yields were lowest when bell peppers were grown in single rows on high, ridged beds with overhead irrigation. Results of this study suggest that the development of skin separation or “silvering” in fruit is more closely associated with genotype than type of production system.

Influence of Edible Coatings on Biochemical Fruit Quality and Storage Life of Bell Pepper cv. “Yolo Wonder”

The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of food grade coatings on fruit quality and storage life of bell pepper cv. “Yolo Wonder” at8±1°C with 90–95% RH for 24 days. Coating treatments were given to bell pepper fruits by dipping in aqueous solutions of gum arabic (6, 9, and 12%),Aloe veragel (4, 5, and 6%), and cinnamon oil (0.5, 0.75, and 1%). Physicochemical characteristics as well as quality of bell pepper fruits improved in all coating treatments. Results revealed that 12% gum arabic coating exhibited significantly reduced weight loss, membrane leakage, chilling injury, and decay incidence with less increase in pH, total soluble solids, and sugar percentage, whereas appealing fruit color (L⁎,a⁎, andb⁎) along with higher values of ascorbic acid (1.84 mg/100 g), titratable acidity (0.19%), and firmness (4 N) was observed in cold storage environment. Our results clearly suggested that coating of bell pepper fruits with 12% gum arabic can maintain postharvest storage quality of bell pepper fruits.

Isolation of Chromoplasts and Suborganellar Compartments from Tomato and Bell Pepper Fruit.

Tomato is a model for fruit development and ripening. The isolation of intact plastids from this organism is therefore important for metabolic and proteomic analyses. Pepper, a species from the same family, is also of interest since it allows isolation of intact chromoplasts in large amounts. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for the isolation of tomato plastids at three fruit developmental stages, namely, nascent chromoplasts from the mature green stage, chromoplasts from an intermediate stage, and fully differentiated red chromoplasts. The method relies on sucrose density gradient centrifugations. It yields high purity organelles suitable for proteome analyses. Enzymatic and microscopy assays are summarized to assess purity and intactness. A method is also described for subfractionation of pepper chromoplast lipoprotein structures.

Irrigation and lithothamnium fertilization in bell pepper cultivated in organic system

ABSTRACT For proper plant growth and achievement of satisfactory yield, it is essential to replenish water and nutrients, in the right amount and time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil water potential and lithothamnium doses on the growth and yield of bell pepper fruits in an organic production system. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments were five lithothamnium doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 g dm-3) and four soil water potentials (-6, -24, -42 and -60 kPa). Increasing lithothamnium doses and irrigations based on increasing soil water potentials produced linear increase in plant growth and fruit production. The maximum economic efficiency of the lithothamnium fertilizer was obtained with the application of 0.54 g dm-3, corresponding to the fruit yield of 491.26 g plant-1. More frequent irrigations favor the increase in growth and yield of bell pepper in organic system.

Phytyl Fatty Acid Esters in the Pulp of Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum).

Phytyl fatty acid esters (PFAE) are esters of fatty acids with the isoprenoid alcohol phytol (3,7R,11R,15-tetramethylhexadec-2E-enol). In this study, PFAE were identified and quantified in bell pepper using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). All red (n = 14) and yellow (n = 6) samples contained six or seven PFAE at 0.9-11.2 mg/100 g fresh weight. By contrast, PFAE were not detected in green bell pepper samples (n = 3). PFAE might eventually be a source for bioavailable phytol, which can be transformed into phytanic acid by humans. Phytanic acid cannot be properly degraded by patients who suffer from Refsum's disease (tolerable daily intake (TDI) ≤ 10 mg of phytanic acid). The phytol moiety of the PFAE (0.4-5.4 mg/100 g fresh weight) would contribute up to ∼50% to the TDI with the consumption of only one portion of bell pepper fruit pulp.

Calcined Eggshell Waste for Mitigating Soil Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria/Antibiotic Resistance Gene Dissemination and Accumulation in Bell Pepper.

The combined accumulation of antibiotics, heavy metals, antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)/antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in vegetables has become a new threat to human health. This is the first study to investigate the feasibility of calcined eggshells modified by aluminum sulfate as novel agricultural wastes to impede mixed contaminants from transferring to bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). In this work, calcined eggshell amendment mitigated mixed pollutant accumulation in bell pepper significantly, enhanced the dissipation of soil tetracycline, sulfadiazine, roxithromycin, and chloramphenicol, decreased the water-soluble fractions of antibiotics, and declined the diversity of ARB/ARGs inside the vegetable. Moreover, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis detected that ARG levels in the bell pepper fruits significantly decreased to 10(-10) copies/16S copies, indicating limited risk of ARGs transferring along the food chain. Furthermore, the restoration of soil microbial biological function suggests that calcined eggshell is an environmentally friendly amendment to control the dissemination of soil ARB/ARGs in the soil-vegetable system.

Polymerization of phenolic compounds by polyphenol oxidase from bell pepper with increase in their antioxidant capacity

ABSTRACTBell pepper (Capsicum annum) fruits are rich in flavonoids, which have high antioxidant capacity. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from bell pepper fruit was partially purified and used to polymerize phenolic compounds. Hydrodynamic diameters of the resulting products were analyzed with dynamic light scattering, and their relation to antioxidant capacity studied. Bell pepper PPO catalyzed polymerization of free phenolic compounds, producing 1500 nm aggregates with antioxidant capacity greater than the corresponding monomers. Polymerization was greatest using epicatechin, forming 5000 nm aggregates with antioxidant capacity higher than the monomer. The aggregates produced from ferulic acid exhibited 15 times more antioxidant capacity than the monomer. Quercetin was the least polymerized, but its aggregates still had antioxidant capacity higher than its monomer.

Effect of pine bark volume and ventilation for bell pepper production in high tunnels

Bell peppers cultivated in Florida represent one third of the U.S. fresh-market production. Protected cultivation offers an advantage in a subtropical, humid climate to obtain high-quality colored bell peppers. However, multiple factors such as ventilation, high temperatures, and potting media volume can affect the success of bell pepper production under protected cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combination of two ventilation types and four pine bark volumes on bell pepper yield, plant growth and fruit quality. No significant effects of ventilation or pine bark volume on plant growth or commercial yield were found. This study suggested bell pepper can be cultivated in small pots as long as the plants are in non-limiting water and nutrient conditions. Moreover, a ventilation system with only a central roof vent in the ridge of the tunnel with a metallic gutter has no additional beneficial effect on colored bell pepper yields.

Effect of packaging and storage environments on quality and shelf-life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits of cultivar Indra were harvested at bright green colour stage and packed in different packaging films, viz. heat shrinkable film (15µ), cling film (15µ) and low density polyethylene film (LDPE 25µ). After packaging, the fruits were stored under two different conditions, i.e. super-market conditions (18-20°C; 90-95% RH) and ordinary market conditions (28-30°C; 60-65% RH). The shrink and cling film significantly checked the loss in weight, firmness and decay incidence and maintained various qualities attributes like ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content and overall sensory quality of the fruits during shelf-life better than unwrapped control fruits. The in-pack bell pepper in shrink and cling film created a suitable headspace environment with desired level of O2 and CO2 concentrations, which resulted in a better retention of freshness of the vegetable for its marketability. On the other hand, LDPE film accumulated very high level of CO2, which led to formation of fermenting odour and decay of fruits. The data revealed that shrink and cling film proved quite effective in prolonging the shelf-life of bell pepper fruits for 10 and 7 days under super market conditions and ordinary market conditions, respectively, as against 5 and 2 days only in case of unpacked control fruits.

Comparison of anti-oxidant activities and fruit quality attributes in four sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown in two soilless media

ABSTRACTThis work was carried out to study the effects of two soilless media consisting of 80:20 [volume/volume (v/v)] mixtures of mosspeat and perlite, or cocopeat and perlite, on fruit quality and anti-oxidant activities in four cultivars of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): ‘Traviata’ (green), ‘Inspratian’ (red), ‘Aracia’ (orange), and ‘Taranto’ (yellow). The results showed that the composition of the medium had a significant effect on the anti-oxidant composition and activities of the bell pepper fruit. Plants grown on 80:20 (v/v) mosspeat and perlite had significantly higher pericarp firmness, titratable acidity, total phenolic compound concentrations, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability, and the hydroxy free-radical (•OH) scavenging ability. Fruit on plants grown on 80:20 (v/v) cocopeat and perlite had significantly higher vitamin C concentrations. Among the four cultivars tested, ‘Inspratian’ (red) was superior in more factors including pericarp thickness, dry matter content, titratable acidity, total soluble solids content, total phenolic concentration, DPPH scavenging ability, and vitamin C concentration. There was a significant interaction between cultivar and soilless medium composition, indicating that the response of bell pepper cultivars varied in the different media. The results of the present study highlight the importance of comparing soilless media in terms of their effect on fruit crop quality and anti-oxidant activity.

Effect of heat treatment with biologically active substances on the functioning of low-molecular antioxidant system during the storage of sweet bell pepper fruits

Despite the fact, that combination of heat treatment and treatment with exogenous biologically active substances increases shelf life of sweet bell pepper fruits and facilitates decreasing of metabolism, influence of such treatment on functioning of low-molecular antioxidant system was not studied. Used in this research hybrids of sweet bell pepper Hercules and Nikita were grown in the open-field conditions. Fruits were dipped for 15 min. into the prepared composition of biologically active substances with temperature of 45 ºС. Composition consisted of substances with bactericide and antioxidant effect: butylhydroxitoluol, lecithin and water extract of horse-reddish root. After drying fruits were put in box, covered with a polyethylene film, and stored in 7 ± 0,5 ºС and relative humidity 95 ± 1%. Influence of heat and antioxidant treatments combination on the content of lipid peroxidation products, ascorbic acid, phenol substances and carotenoids was studied.It was shown, that content of malondialdehyde in treated fruits is 1.7…2 times lower depending on hybrid in comparison with control groups. Heat treatment of pepper fruits with antioxidant composition inhibits oxidative activity of enzymes ascorbatoxidase and poliphenoloxidase, which leads to better maintenance of low-molecular antioxidant fund. Treated pepper fruit contain 20% more ascorbic acid and 10% more phenol substances. In pepper fruits, which were treated with heat and antioxidants, content of carotenoids is 20…30% higher comparing to the control group of fruit. Between the content of malondialdehyde and quantity of low-molecular antioxidants strong reverse correlative dependencies (r=-0,90…-0,92) were found, which testify to their importance in reactive oxygen species utilization during the storage of sweet bell pepper fruits

Effect of Glyphosate and Dicamba Drift Timing and Rates in Bell Pepper and Yellow Squash

As dicamba resistance traits become more common in agronomic crops, the potential for off-site movement also increases. Little is known of how common vegetable crops will respond to dicamba drift. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dicamba and glyphosate drift on bell pepper and squash growth as a function of application timing. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design with two timings by three rates and a nontreated check. The two timings were early bloom and midbloom (during bloom when fruit were present). The three rates were glyphosate at 21 + dicamba at 14 g ha−1, glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1, and glyphosate at 7 + dicamba 5 at g ha−1. Herbicides were applied with a controlled droplet applicator calibrated to deliver 2.34 L ha−1. In squash, crop injury was 26 to 31% at 3 DAT and 48 to 65% at 17 DAT. However, no differences were measured among application timings or rates for fruit weight or number at individual harvest or season total. Bell pepper injury ranged between 0 and 8% from 3 to 17 DAT and was not significantly different than the nontreated. However, large, Fancy, marketable, and total bell pepper fruit number were greater in the nontreated than glyphosate at 21 + dicamba 14 at g ha−1and glyphosate at 10 + dicamba at 7 g ha−1both years. The three rates of dicamba + glyphosate had a greater number and weight of cull fruit compared to the number of fruit in the nontreated plots. The cull fruit were shorter with a flattened appearance. Leaving bell pepper fruit on the plants longer may result in small and medium fruit becoming large or Fancy grade bell pepper fruit.

The use of δ2H and δ18O isotopic analyses combined with chemometrics as a traceability tool for the geographical origin of bell peppers

Two approaches were investigated to discriminate between bell peppers of different geographic origins. Firstly, δ18O fruit water and corresponding source water were analyzed and correlated to the regional GNIP (Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation) values. The water and GNIP data showed good correlation with the pepper data, with constant isotope fractionation of about −4. Secondly, compound-specific stable hydrogen isotope data was used for classification. Using n-alkane fingerprinting data, both linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and a likelihood-based classification, using the kernel-density smoothed data, were developed to discriminate between peppers from different origins. Both methods were evaluated using the δ2H values and n-alkanes relative composition as variables. Misclassification rates were calculated using a Monte-Carlo 5-fold cross-validation procedure. Comparable overall classification performance was achieved, however, the two methods showed sensitivity to different samples. The combined values of δ2H IRMS, and complimentary information regarding the relative abundance of four main alkanes in bell pepper fruit water, has proven effective for geographic origin discrimination. Evaluation of the rarity of observing particular ranges for these characteristics could be used to make quantitative assertions regarding geographic origin of bell peppers and, therefore, have a role in verifying compliance with labeling of geographical origin.

Influence of Yellow Light-Emitting Diodes at 590 nm on Storage of Apple, Tomato and Bell Pepper Fruit.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of irradiation from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on several fruits during storage. To improve storage and increase the contents of some bioactive compounds, apple, tomato and red bell pepper fruits were exposed to yellow light emitted from the diodes at 590 nm. The contents of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, total flavonoids and several pigments were investigated, along with the antioxidant potential. The colour parameters (L*, a* and b*) and firmness of the fruit were also determined. After 7 days of LED light irradiation, there was significantly higher total phenolic content and antioxidant potential in apple peel extracts. The irradiated fruit of tomato had significantly higher levels of total phenolic compounds, and the fruit of red bell pepper had significantly higher antioxidant potential. LED light had no effects on the colour parameters, although there was a tendency to accelerate colour development. Apple fruit irradiated with LED light was significantly less firm. Among twelve analysed pigments, significantly more β-carotene was detected in LED light-irradiated apple and bell pepper fruit, more α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol in bell pepper fruit, and more lutein in apple peel and bell pepper fruit. The applied LED light slightly accelerated the ripening of the studied fruit, and affected the synthesis of some of the secondary metabolites.