Comparative Study of Color, Pungency, and Biochemical Composition in Chili Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Under Different Light-emitting Diode Treatments
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: Color and pungency are the two main factors of chili peppers that determine their quality and final market price. In this study, we investigated the effect of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on fruit color and primary and secondary metabolites (capsaicinoids) in Capsicum annuum L. cv. Cheonyang. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of acetonitrile extract of chili fruits revealed enhanced capsaicinoid contents in blue LEDs (180 ± 6.32 mg/100 g) when compared with fluorescent light (54 ± 3.12 mg/100 g). However, color of chili pepper was remarkably changed under different light treatments. Among these, high ASTA color values and chromatic parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, and H°) were recorded under red plus blue LED, further indicating red plus blue LED is responsible for most vivid color development compared with monochromatic red or blue LEDs. In addition, we found total carbohydrate [22.32 mg·g −1 fresh weight (FW)], reducing sugars (8.27 mg·g −1 FW), starch (14.05 mg·g –1 FW), carotenoids (6.15 mg·g −1 FW), and protein (4.83 mg·g −1 FW) were significantly high under red plus blue LED. These results showed that there were significant differences of plant growth and production of various metabolites among the different LEDs. Furthermore, blue LED showed a relatively higher rate of capsaicinoid production and red plus blue LED produced striking color development in chili peppers. Therefore, the results presented here might serve as an alternative strategy for nutritional improvement (color, oleoresin, and pungency) of chili peppers.
Source: HortScience
Institution: Konkuk University
Language: English
Topic: Light effects on plants
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Funder: Konkuk University
OpenAlex ID: W2185014749