Pepper Capsicum Annuum Research Articles

Effect of packaging films on shelf-life and quality of bell pepper under super and ordinary market conditions

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits of cv. Indra were harvested at commercial maturity and packed in different packaging films, viz. heat shrinkable film (15 μ), cling film (15 μ) and low density polyethylene film (LDPE 25 μ) and thereafter 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 film significantly checked the loss in weight (3.38%), firmness (1330.5 g force) and decay incidence (0%), maintained qualities attributes like ascorbic acid (20.70 mg/100 g) and chlorophyll content (0.066 mg/100 g), respectively during 10 days of storage under super market conditions. The in-package gaseous composition (O2 and CO2) in shrink film packed fruits was found to be 3.55and 17.10% after 10 days of storage. The overall sensory quality of the packed bell pepper during retailing was found to be better than control fruits. The shrink and cling film prolonged the shelf-life and maintained the quality 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.

Evaluation of small size fruit peppers Capsicum annuum spp. microcarpum with cluster and factor analysis

Evaluation of small size fruit peppers Capsicum annuum spp. microcarpum with cluster and factor analysis

Patterns and Challenges in Exotic Vegetables Marketing

ABSTRACTHow vegetables are handled after harvest may affect postharvest quality. Handling practices and challenges encountered in exotic vegetable marketing were evaluated. All marketers in the study area engaged in sales of carrots (Daucus carota L.), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L), and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus. Thunb). Almost all sold potato (Solanum tuberosum L), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata L.), and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and only 4% sold radish (Raphanus sativus L). Carrot, sweet pepper, and cucumber deteriorated within 4 days and lettuce deteriorated within 2 days. The most common packaging materials were polyethylene sacks; the major method of preservation used by marketers was keeping produce in baskets in airy rooms/well-ventilated stores. Problems encountered by marketers are postharvest loss (48%), inadequate storage facilities and transportation (20%), and low patronage (12%). Appropriate cooling and storage facilities during transportation and at wholesale and retail centers are needed.

Is Bactra bactrana (Kennel, 1901) a novel pest of sweet peppers?

This is the first report of Bactra bactrana (Kennel, 1901) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) attacking a major solanaceous crop, sweet pepper Capsicum annuum L. The infestation was detected in two greenhouses at the area of Tympaki (Southern Crete, Greece). The moth larvae caused typical symptoms of a fruit borer with numerous small holes on the surface of the peppers and extensive damage on the inside of the fruit as a result of the feeding activity. Unknown factors facilitated this major shift in host range since B. bactrana is typically a stem borer of sedges. In addition, the pest status of B. bactrana is currently under question, as in both cases the infestations by the moth were associated with significant yield losses. B. bactrana was moderately controlled with chemicals registered for Lepidoptera management in sweet pepper due to the boring nature of the infestation. Some comparative taxonomic notes are provided to facilitate accurate pest discrimination of related Bactra species. Finally, biological attributes of the species are summarized and are discussed from pest control and ecological perspectives. Because Bactra species have been used in augmentative releases for the control of sage, the implications of our findings on the release of biocontrol agents are placed in perspective.

Spices and herbs in broilers nutrition: hot red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and its mode of action

Spices, herbs and medicinal plants as a feed supplements present promising alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters due to their high content of bioactive substances. A large number of experiments have confirmed a wide range of activities of spices in poultry nutrition such as stimulation of feed intake, antimicrobial, antioxidative and coccidiostat stimulation, increase of body weight gain, lowering the mortality rate and improvement of the blood and tissue lipid profile. The present paper gives a review on the characteristics of hot red pepper and its mode of action in broilers nutrition.

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the physiological and biochemical properties of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings

High hydrostatic pressure is a non-thermal food processing technology, which also has several successful applications in different areas besides food processing. In this study, Capsicum annuum L. (pepper) seeds are subjected to 50, 100, 200 and 300 MPa pressure for 5 min at 25°C and the seedlings of HHP processed seeds are used to compare percentage of seed germination and biochemical properties such as chlorophyll a, b and a/b, proline content, total protein, carotenoid, malondialdehyde, glucose, fructose and phenolic compounds concentrations. As a result of the study, it was observed that there are remarkable changes in terms of biochemical properties especially for seedlings, whose seeds were pressurized at 200 and 300 MPa. More detailed studies are needed to put forward the mechanism behind the changes in biochemical properties.

Effects of different mulching practices on the photosynthetic characteristics of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in a greenhouse in Northwest China

Mulching is considered a desirable management technology for improving and stabilizing agricultural crop production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different mulching practices on hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) performance in terms of leaf photosynthetic capacity, photosynthetic light response (PLR) curves, and growth parameters, under greenhouse conditions. Consequently, field experiments were conducted during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons in Northwest China using four types of mulching practices (without mulch; wheat straw mulch; plastic film mulch; and combined mulch with plastic film and wheat straw). The results showed that mulching increased the leaf net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor, intercellular CO2 concentration, water-use efficiency, and transpiration rate. Mulching significantly affected the PLR curves, and important parameters (such as the apparent quantum yield, maximum net photosynthetic rate, light compensation point, and light saturation point) were all improved under combined mulching conditions when compared with other mulching practices. Therefore, it is inferred that hot pepper leaf photosynthetic capacity and light-use efficiency were significantly improved under combined mulching, and thereby the combined mulching is recommended for hot pepper cultivation in greenhouses due to working well to facilitate soil condition (moisture and temperature), plant growth, and marketable photosynthetic characteristics.

Anti-cholelithogenic potential of dietary spices and their bioactives

ABSTRACTDietary hypocholesterolemic spices—curcumin (active compound of turmeric (Curcuma longa)) and capsaicin (active compound of red pepper (Capsicum annuum)), the active principles of spices—turmeric (Curcuma longa) and red pepper (Capsicum annuum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, garlic (Allium sativum), and onion (Allium cepa) are documented to have anti-cholelithogenic property in animal model. These spices prevent the induction of cholesterol gallstones by lithogenic high cholesterol diet and also regress the pre-established cholesterol gallstones, by virtue of their hypolipidemic potential. The antilithogenic influence of these spices is primarily attributable to their hypocholesterolemic effect. Increased cholesterol saturation index, cholesterol:phospholipid ratio and cholesterol:bile acid ratio in the bile caused by the lithogenic diet was countered by these spices. The antilithogenicity of these hypocholesterolemic spices was considered to be due also to their influence on biliary proteins that have pro-nucleating activity and anti-nucleating activity. Investigations on the involvement of biliary proteins in cholesterol crystal nucleation revealed that in an in vitro bile model, low molecular weight biliary proteins of the lithogenic diet fed animals have a pro-nucleating activity. On the contrary, low molecular weight biliary proteins of the animals fed hypocholesterolemic spices along with lithogenic diet showed a potent anti-nucleating activity.

Effects of Mulching Materials on Growth, Yield, and Dehydrogenase activity of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Paddy Cultivation

Effects of Mulching Materials on Growth, Yield, and Dehydrogenase activity of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Paddy Cultivation

The Effect of Spraying Seaweed Extract and Amino Acids on Some Floral and Fruit Characters of Two Species of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Under Plastic Houses Conditions

The current experiment has been conducted at a plastic house belongs to the College of Agriculture / university of Al-Qadisiya during the growing season 2012-2013 to study the effect of spraying seaweed extract at 0, 3, and 6 ml.L-1 and amino acids at 0, 400, and 800 mg. L-1 and their combination on some floral and fruits characters of two cultivars of sweet pepper Capsicum annuum L. cv. Flavio F1 and California wonder. Results show that there is a significant increase in flowers number per plant (51.14 and 33.99) and fruit set (70.99 and 60.30) for Flavio F1 and California wonder, respectively, due to the use of sea weed extract at 6 ml. L-1. Using amino acids at 800 mg. L-1 have the same effect. Also, fruit number, weight and volume, vitamin C content, total soluble solids and total sugars are significantly increased at the highest concentrations of sea weed extract (23.26, 119.70 gm, 438.94 cm3, 49.47 mg/100 ml fresh weight, 9.03% and 5.27, respectively for Flavio F1 cultivar and 16.41, 76.31 gm, 146.93 cm3, 31.03 mg/100 ml fresh weight, 5.84% and 4.50, respectively for California wonder cultivar). Same results show the highest concentration of the amino acids. As for the interactions, the combination of seaweed extract at 6 ml. L-1 and amino acids at 800 mg. L-1 give the highest values for all the parameters measured in comparison with the control treatment.

Effect of irrigation regime and application of kaolin on yield, quality and water use efficiency of sweet pepper

The present paper reports research that focused on the effect of kaolin on the yield, quality and water use efficiency of the sweet pepper Capsicum annuum L., grown under different irrigation regimes. The research was conducted in an open field with carbonate chernozem soil, at Stara Pazova (40km north of Belgrade, Serbia). It lasted for three years (2011, 2012, and 2013). Three irrigation regimes and two kaolin treatments were compared. The irrigation regimes were: (i) full irrigation (F) ensuring 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), (ii) deficit irrigation at 80% ETc (R1), and (iii) deficit irrigation at 70% ETc (R2). The kaolin treatments were: (i) control without kaolin (C) and (ii) treatment with kaolin application (K). The setup was a two-factorial, completely random block system, with three replications. The first factor was the irrigation regime and the second kaolin application.On average, the highest fresh sweet pepper yields were achieved under full irrigation (10kgm−2). Also, FC and FK treatments resulted in the highest first-class, second-class and first+second class yields. On average, the lowest percentage of sunburn was noted in the case of the FK treatment (10%), and the highest with the R2C treatment (about 27%). The sugar content of the pepper was quite consistent, while the organic acid content varied from 15.0mLg−1 with R1C to 18.7mLg−1 with FK. The application of kaolin and the irrigation regime did not have a statistically significant effect on the antioxidant activity of the pepper and ranged from 5538.4 to 6447.4μmol TUg−1. The highest yield water use efficiency (yWUE) of first-class and first+second class yields was recorded with the FC, FK and R1C treatments. Throughout the study period, yWUE levels of the second-class yields, and of the total yield, were rather uniform, regardless of the type of treatment.

Bactericera cockerelli . [Distribution map

Abstract A new disrtibution map is provided for Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc.). Hemiptera: Triozidae. Main hosts: potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) and pepper ( Capsicum annuum ). Information is given on the geographical distribution in North America (Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Mexico, USA, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming), Central America and Caribbean (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) and Oceania (New Zealand and Norfolk Island).

First Report of Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) as a Natural Host Plant for Dahlia mosaic virus

First Report of Chili Pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) as a Natural Host Plant for <i>Dahlia mosaic virus</i>

Improve the salinity stress by using ascorbic acid on Germination, Growth Parameters, Water Relations, Organic and Inorganic Components of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum, L.) Plant

The relationship between compatible solutes (osmolytes) and antioxidants are the strategies that plants have developed to tolerate salt stress. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to study the response of presoaked Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annuum, L.) seeds in freshly prepared ascorbic acid (25 mML-1 ASC) or distilled water (control) for 12 h at natural environmental conditions, to reduce the effect of salinity stress. Generally, the sweet pepper seeds germination occurred after 4 days, while, the germination rate (%) were more faster after soaking the seeds in ascorbic acid compared with control (soaked in distilled water). NaCl salt-stress treatments caused a reduction in all growth parameters (fresh and dry weights of plant, leaf area and number per plant) compared control, particularly at high NaCl level (250 mM) more reduced. In the mean time, ascorbic acid had reduced the effect NaCl salinity stress on all growth parameters. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a &amp; b and carotenoids) and chloroplast efficiency were increasing with salinity stress, but the response was more pronounced at 250 mM NaCl whether alone or combined with ascorbic acid. Also, salinity stress treatments tended to increased all of the total available carbohydrates (Monosaccharide, Disaccharides &amp; polysaccharides), nitrogenous components (protein, amino acids &amp; proline), antioxidase, (catalase, peroxidase &amp; superoxide dismutases) enzymes activities and inorganic mineral elements (Na+, K+, N+3, P+3, Ca+2, Mg+2 &amp; Cl-) but after soaked the seeds in ascorbic acid, these components tended to increased more. Application of NaCl salinity-stress on tomato plant induced the synthesis of nitrogenous components (protein, amino acids, proline), whereas, the tomato seeds soaked before planting in ascorbic acid which leads to remarkably increasing more for all nitrogenous components, antioxidase, carbohydrates and inorganic mineral elements content.

Antihyperglucolipidaemic and anticarbonyl stress properties in green, yellow and red sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Effect of aqueous methanol extract of different colour sweet bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) on parameters of diabesity and carbonyl stress was analysed in vitro. Yellow pepper displayed significantly (p < 0.001) higher intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than green and red pepper. Porcine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity was significantly (p < 0.01) high in yellow and red pepper than in green pepper. Green and red pepper inhibited vesperlysine-type advanced glycation end products (AGEs) more potently than yellow pepper; however, pentosidine-type AGEs were similarly inhibited by all three peppers. Yellow and red pepper inhibited lipid peroxidation more potently (p < 0.01) than green pepper. Total polyphenol content and free radicals scavenging activities in yellow and red bell peppers were higher than in green pepper. Total flavonoid content was high in green pepper than that present in yellow and red peppers. Green pepper displayed presence of proanthocyanins; however, oligomeric anthocyanins were detected in yellow and red peppers.

Growth and Water-Yield Functions of Dry-Season Fadama-Grown Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Under Differential Irrigation in a Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Growth and Water-Yield Functions of Dry-Season Fadama-Grown Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Under Differential Irrigation in a Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

Effects of bicarbonate and different Fe sources on vegetative growth and physiological characteristics of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants in hydroponic system

In order to determine the best iron (Fe) sources under alkaline conditions, an factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with two factors of Fe fertilizer at four forms [iron sulfate (FeSO4), Fe- ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Fe- diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and Fe- ethylenediamine-N,N’-bis (EDDHA), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)] at three levels (0, 10 and 15 mM) with three replications. Results showed that the highest loss of vegetative growth (stem length, leaf number, leaf area, stem diameter, and leaf, stem and root dry weight) and ecophysiological parameters (Fv/Fm, SPAD and RWC) was observed in plants treated with FeSO4. Alkalinity stress increased proline concentration especially in FeSO4 treatment. Bicarbonate treatments decreased Fe concentration in plant tissues. Fe-EDTA and Fe-DTPA fertilizer sources acted similar or even better than EDDHA at 10 mM NaHCO3 concentration, but the best Fe fertilizer source was Fe-EDDHA at 15 mM NaHCO3 concentration.

Grafting, Scion and Rootstock Effects on Survival Rate, Vegetative Growth and Fruit Yield of High Tunnel-grown Grafted Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Plants

The objective of this study was to develop information useful to pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) rootstock breeders, grafted plant propagators and growers managing commercial plantings in semi-protected settings. To accomplish this, an experiment involving four phenotypically diverse scion cultivars and five rootstocks grafted in all combinations along with self-grafted and non-grafted cultivars as controls was completed twice. The effects of the grafting process, scion cultivars and rootstock genotypes on grafted plant performance were delineated by measures of post-grafting plant survival (%), plant vegetative vigor and by early and total season yield parameters. The grafting process significantly increased vegetative vigor parameters, most notably in 2014 whereas the yield parameters of self-grafted plants exceeded their non-grafted counterparts only in 2015. In both years, scion performance in graft combinations remained characteristic of the cultivar type; long-fruited cultivars ‘Eigman’ and ‘Kurtovszka Kapia’ had lower survival rates, generally exhibited greater vegetative vigor, and amassed greater yields per m2 than blocky-fruited ‘Toronto’ and ‘Zedinca’. In general, graft combinations using commercial pepper rootstocks 52-03 RZ and Tan Tan (No: 12G076) outperformed those composed of standard cultivars or breeding lines used as rootstocks. Scions on these rootstocks exhibited greater vegetative vigor in both years and higher yields per m2 than non-grafted controls in 2014. The superior performance of 52-03 RZ and Tan Tan (No: 12G076) in this study exemplified the advantage of using rootstocks specifically bred for optimum root system performance and compatibility with a variety of scions. However, significant scion × rootstock interactions and seasonal differences in performance suggested, that as new rootstocks are developed or as new graft combinations are introduced, it will be necessary to rigorously test them in multiple environments to insure commercial success.

Acquisition, identification and analysis of an interspecific Capsicum hybrid (C. annuum × C. chinense)

SummaryUsing an embryo rescue technique, we obtained an F1 plantlet whose female parent was a purple chilli pepper (Capsicum annuum 7033) and whose male parent was a green chilli pepper (C. chinense 7020).We verified the origin of this interspecific hybrid using a peroxidase isozyme assay and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Most of the morphological features of the F1 plant, particularly the purple colour of its foliage, flowers and immature fruit, were intermediate between those of its parents. Cytological analysis indicated that the meiotic chromosomes of the pollen mother cells of the F1 plant exhibited abnormal behaviour, resulting in a marked reduction in the proportion of fertile pollen compared to both its parents. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA demonstrated that, compared to the parental sequences, the F1 hybrid had 186 polymorphic sites, 139 of which (74.7%) were inherited from the male parent, and 23 (12.4%) were inherited from the female parent, and 24 (12.9%) were transversions or base pair mutations. Therefore, our morphological and cytological observations, as well as isozyme and molecular marker analyses confirmed that the F1 plant was a genuine interspecific hybrid that had inherited more genetic information from its male parent than from its female parent. This work will help locate purple colour-related genes and the breeding of pepper cultivars containing higher concentrations of anthocyanin and capsaicin.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant Activities and In Vitro Anticancer Potential of Egyptian Capsicum Spp.

In the present study, two cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens) at two maturity stages (green and red) were evaluated for total phenolic and flavonoid content, organic acids, vitamin C, β-carotene, vitamin E, capsaicin and the antioxidant and anticancer activities of their aqueous extracts. Total phenolic content was found to be ranged from 11.09-26.14 mg GAE/g DW, while total flavonoid content was ranged from 2.7 mg to 5.0 mg QE/g DW. Twenty six phenolic and aromatic compounds, twelve flavonoid compounds and eleven organic acids were identified in all samples by using of HPLC. Vitamin C, β-carotene, vitamin E and capsaicin contents were also estimated by HPLC and detected at high levels which were ranged from 500.0-645.5 mg/100 g DW, 6.56-35.69 mg/100 g DW, 10.44-19.36 mg/100 g DW and 37.46-69.90 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Antioxidant activities of pepper samples were carried out by using of both DPPH•-scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (ABTS•+) assays and the extracts exhibited high activities which were ranged from 96.95% to 98.64% and from 77.73% to 93.11%, respectively. Finally, the potential anticancer activity of pepper extracts and capsaicin standard was tested against prostate (PC-3) and breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell lines in vitro. The results showed that sweet pepper had a higher anticancer activity against PC-3, in contrast, chilli pepper had a higher against MCF-7.