Capsicum--production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Part IV. Evaluation of quality

Capsicum fruits are popular worldwide and are used in the cuisines of both the developing and the developed countries. With its different varieties, forms, and uses, the spice capsicum contributes to the entire gamut of sensory experience--color as finely ground paprika powder or extract in sausages, goulash, cheese, and snacks; both pungency and color as the many varieties of chillies used in Mexican, African, Indian, and southeast Asian cuisines; color, aroma, and mild pungency as the fresh green chillies used in many of the growing countries; and appearance, color, aroma, and texture as fresh fruit in salads and as a pickled and canned product. In three earlier parts in this series, the varieties, cultivation, and primary processing; the processed products, world production, and trade; and the chemistry of the color, aroma, and pungency stimuli have been reviewed. In this part, the evaluation of quality through instrumental determination of the causal components and the sensory evaluation of color, aroma, and pungency are discussed. Several methods for quantitative determination of the stimuli and the sensory evaluation of the responses to the stimuli are reviewed. The problems of sensory evaluation of color, aroma, and pungency, the dominant attributes for validation of the instrumentally determined values for carotenoids, volatiles, or particular fractions, and total and individual capsaicinoids are specifically discussed. Summarized details of selected instrumental methods for evaluating the stimuli, which are either validated by correlation to sensorily perceived responses or to adopted standards, are given along with representative data obtained for discussing the adequacy and reliability of the methods. Pungency as a specific gustatory perception and the many methods proposed to evaluate this quality are discussed. A recommended objective procedure for obtaining reproducible values is discussed, and a method for relating different panel results is shown. With such a method, highly significant correlations have been shown between estimated total capsaicinoids and the determined pungency. The estimation of total capsaicinoids by any simple, reliable method is shown to be adequate for quality control of pungency of Capsicum fruits.     

Capsicum--production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Part V. Impact on physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and metabolism; structure, pungency, pain, and desensitization sequences

The spice Capsicum is the fruit of the cultivated species of the genus Capsicum (family, Solanaceae), C. annuum principally, and C. frutescens L. to a lesser extent. A third variety of C. annuum var. annuum fruits, the large-sized, fleshy bell capsicum is used as a fresh vegetable and valued for its aroma, color, and crisp texture, but with no pungency. This variety is not considered in this series of reviews covering primary processing, production, international trade, chemistry, and biochemistry of functional components--the red keto carotenoids, the aromatic volatiles and the pungent capsaicinoids in Parts I to III. The valid qualitative aspects correlating the specific components of capsicum and their sensory responses are critically covered in Part IV. In this the concluding part of the series of reviews, the significant preference of the spice for initially evoking an aversive response, its potent physiological and pharmacological effects, and the aspects of structure-activity relationships of the pungent stimuli of the capsaicinoids are reviewed. The beneficial effects particularly associated with long usage by some ethnic groups and its safe consumption levels, with a critical review of the studies on the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system, the sensory system, thermoregulation, nutritional impacts, and an overview of the five series is also detailed.     

Capsicum--production, technology, chemistry, and quality--Part II. Processed products, standards, world production and trade

Capsicums, as a spice, have been known since the beginning of civilization and historically associated with the discovery of the New World. The genus Capsicum (Fam. Solanaceae) provides many varieties and adds color, pungency, and aroma to the cuisines of most of the world. From the pungent chilli, of interest also to pharmaceuticals, to the colorful paprika and the bell capsicums with its remarkable aroma, the genus has been of great interest for its chemistry and physiological action. Pungency as a sensory attribute, its evaluation, structure-activity relationship, and its increasing acceptance and preference by diverse populations of the world are of great interest to many research disciplines. In a comprehensive review of all aspects in four sequential parts, Part I deals with History, Botany, Cultivation, and Primary Processing (CRC Critical Review, Food Science and Nutrition). The Capsicums among the spices are second only to black pepper in trades both in volume and value. The production of the different forms of this spice as ground, specialty seasonings, and as the concentrated oleoresins through technologically advanced processes, proposed newer products, the standard to control quality of the different products, world production, trade, and prospects are reviewed in detail in this, Part II.     

Capsicum production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Part 1: History, botany, cultivation, and primary processing

The genus Capsicum (Fam. Solanaceae) was known to ancient cultures and was more recently historically associated with the discovery of the New World. This genus provides many species and varieties used in flavoring foods popular in the cuisines of many parts of the world. From the pungent chilli to the colorful paprika and the bell pepper, with its remarkable aroma, the genus is of great interest for its chemistry, sensory attributes, and physiological action. The Capsicums, among the spices, are second only to black pepper in trade both in volume and value. The production of the different pungency forms, the processed seasonings, and the concentrated oleoresins, through technologically advanced processes and in specified standard grades, are critically reviewed. The pungency of Capsicum fruits, its evaluation, chemical structure relationship, its increasing acceptance and preference by a variety of populations are of great research interest. The wide traditional use in the growing regions and its intense physiological effects have attracted the attention of researchers of many different disciplines. These aspects are reviewed in four sequential parts. Part I deals with history, botany, cultivation, and primary processing.     

Ginger-chemistry, technology, and quality evaluation: part 2

Ginger is used in more ways than any other spice. This monograph, published in two parts, comprehensively reviews production, trade, processing, chemistry, and evaluation of quality. Botany, world varieties, agronomy, crop improvement, and potential are reviewed briefly with emphasis on the yield of functional components. Processing for the market, international trade patterns and factors influencing them are discussed. Derived products such as ginger powder, syruped ginger, volatile oil, and oleoresin are discussed in greater detail. The increasing world demand for quality products of added value such as the oleoresin and volatile oil show the prospects for their production in the growing countries. The chemistry of the components which contribute aroma and pungency that characterize ginger is critically reviewed. The second part deals with evaluation of quality. The physicochemical parameters prescribed as a measure of quality for ginger and its products in the existing standards, can assure only hygienic quality and purity, and possibly the source, when new parameters such as GC-finger prints are included. The importance of sensorily evaluating flavor quality is emphasized to understand the variation in flavor quality required by the industrial and retail markets. Related areas, such as problems in sensory evaluation of intense flavored substances, objective flavor profile analysis, correlation of instrumental and sensory data are discussed, and our recent work in this area is summarized. Areas where more research is needed are indicated. Other areas briefly discussed are functional, physiological, and toxicological properties in use of ginger; biosynthetic aspects of components stimulating flavor; structure and pungency and chemistry of spices from allied species and genera. A comprehensive bibliography is provided to aid in further study and research.     

Ginger — chemistry,technology, and quality evaluation: Part 2

Ginger is used in more ways than any other spice. This monograph, published in two parts, comprehensively reviews production, trade, processing, chemistry, and evaluation of quality. Botany, world varieties, agronomy, crop improvement, and potential are reviewed briefly with emphasis on the yield of functional components. Processing for the market, international trade patterns and factors influencing them are discussed. Derived products such as ginger powder, syruped ginger, volatile oil, and oleoresin are discussed in greater detail. The increasing world demand for quality products of added value such as the oleoresin and volatile oil show the prospects for their production in the growing countries. The chemistry of the components which contribute aroma and pungency that characterize ginger is critically reviewed. The second part deals with evaluation of quality. The physicochemical parameters prescribed as a measure of quality for ginger and its products in the existing standards, can assure only hygienic quality and purity, and possibly the source, when new parameters such as GC‐finger prints are included. The importance of sensorily evaluating flavor quality is emphasized to understand the variation in flavor quality required by the industrial and retail markets. Related areas, such as problems in sensory evaluation of intense flavored substances, objective flavor profile analysis, correlation of instrumental and sensory data are discussed, and our recent work in this area is summarized. Areas where more research is needed are indicated. Other areas briefly discussed are functional, physiological, and toxicological properties in use of ginger; biosynthetic aspects of the components stimulating flavor, structure and pungency and chemistry of spices from allied species and genera. A comprehensive bibliography is provided to aid in further study and research.     

辣椒素类物质辣味的研究进展

辣椒素类物质是一类带有香草基团和中长链脂肪酰胺结构的生物碱,其中辣椒素和二氢辣椒素辣度最高。部分辣椒素类物质可激活相关受体,引起痛觉与热觉神经信号的传导,使人感到辣味。斯科维尔指数法是评价辣度最常见的方法,但评价结果仅与辣味物质的含量有关,无法真正反映样品的辣度,而时间-强度法可获得多个与辣度相关的定量指标,具有更高的参考价值。除增加辣椒素类物质的含量外,使用水基分散系、提高体系温度、增感作用的产生甚至其他感觉刺激均可显著提升辣椒素类物质辣味感知强度,在感官评价中应当特别注意。综上,本文总结辣椒素类物质的结构、分布,辣味呈现机制、评价方法以及影响辣味感知的因素等方面,以期为食品辣味强度预测和辣味食品的开发提供参考。     

Oleoresins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum</Emphasis> spp.: Extraction Methods and Bioactivity

Capsicum spp. fruit is one of the most produced vegetables around the world, and it is consumed both as fresh vegetable and as a spice like a food additive for their characteristic red color and, in many cases, its pungency. In addition to its economic importance, the bioactivity of some important compounds such as capsaicinoids and carotenoids has promoted its research. The use of Capsicum oleoresins has been increased due to its advantages comparing with the traditional dry spice. These include obtaining higher quality products with the desired content of bioactive and flavored substances. The wide diversity of extraction methods including water extraction, organic solvent extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasound assisted extraction as well as supercritical fluid extraction among others are discussed in the present review. Moreover, pretreatments such as chemical treatments, osmotic dehydration, sun and oven drying, and freeze-drying commonly used before the extraction are also presented. Due to its importance, Capsicum oleoresins produced with “green” solvents and the improvement of fractional extraction techniques that allow to obtain separately the various bioactive fractions will continue under research for further development.     

辣椒及其制品辣度分级方法研究

对国外辣椒及其制品的分级情况进行了研究,并结合我国情况以HPLC精确测定辣素为指标,建立了套辣度分级的方法。同时对该方法在辣椒及其制品的分级应用方面进行了研究探讨。     

三系培育新品种朝天椒的农艺性状与品质特性研究

为新品种朝天椒的开发利用提供理论依据,以编号为1~5的5份不同杂交组合的三系培育新品种朝天椒种质资源为受试材料,采用综合方法分析了其农艺性状和以辣椒素含量和挥发性物质为主的品质特性。结果表明,5种朝天椒的农艺性状存在较大差异,其果长为6.7~9.3 cm,果重2.40~6.26 g,种子数比15.3~28.1个/g,果肉比71.10%~83.93%。5种朝天椒均具有较高的营养价值,但其营养品质有所不同。其中,1号朝天椒的碳水化合物、粗脂肪和灰分含量最高,2号朝天椒的水分含量最高,3号朝天椒的维生素C含量最高,5号朝天椒的蛋白质含量最高。5种朝天椒的辣椒素含量较高且具有较高的辣度,其中5号朝天椒的辣椒素类物质含量最高（1.128 g/kg）,斯科维尔指数为17399 SHU,辣度为116;2号朝天椒的辣椒素类物质含量最低（0.464 g/kg）,斯科维尔指数为7157 SHU,辣度为48。5种朝天椒中共检出100种挥发性物质,其中烯烃类物质的相对含量最高（39.20%~61.73%）,其共同的呈香物质主要为烯烃类、酯类和醇类,但该3类物质的种类与相对含量存在较大差异。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,新品种朝天椒的辣度与其果重和果肉比呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,与其种子数比呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）。综合分析认为,5种新品种朝天椒均具有较高的辣度和营养价值、良好的色泽和香气,均是加工干椒的适宜品种,尤其是5号,且2号、3号和4号朝天椒还可鲜食、泡制、腌制或发酵。     

Determination of absolute threshold and just noticeable difference in the sensory perception of pungency

Absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) were determined for the perception of pungency using chili pepper in aqueous solutions. Absolute threshold and JND were determined using 2 alternative forced-choice sensory tests tests. High-performance liquid chromatography technique was used to determine capsaicinoids concentration in samples used for sensory analysis. Sensory absolute threshold was 0.050 mg capsaicinoids/kg sample. Five JND values were determined using 5 reference solutions with different capsaicinoids concentration. JND values changed proportionally as capsaicinoids concentration of the reference sample solutions changed. Weber fraction remained stable for the first 4 reference capsaicinoid solutions (0.05, 0.11, 0.13, and 0.17 mg/kg) but changed when the most concentrated reference capsaicinoids solution was used (0.23 mg/kg). Quantification limit for instrumental analysis was 1.512 mg/kg capsaicinoids. Sensory methods employed in this study proved to be more sensitive than instrumental methods. Practical Application: A better understanding of the process involved in the sensory perception of pungency is currently required because "hot" foods are becoming more popular in western cuisine. Absolute thresholds and differential thresholds are useful tools in the formulation and development of new food products. These parameters may help in defining how much chili pepper is required in a formulated product to ensure a perceptible level of pungency, as well as in deciding how much more chili pepper is required in a product to produce a perceptible increase in its pungency.     

Cardamom — production,technology, chemistry,and quality

Cardamom, Eleltaria cardamomum Maton var. Miniscula Burkill (Fam. Zingiberaceae) known as true or lesser cardamom is the widely cultivated variety and important in the world trade. It occupies a high second or third place in world trade, being a high priced spice. It belongs to the sweet spices group and is used predominantly to flavor sweets, baked goods, and coffee, particularly in the Arab countries. This monograph critically reviews the post‐harvest handling and processing and the chemistry of the volatiles. The components contributing to the characteristic aroma for which the spice is valued are specifically considered. Gas chromatographic analysis for quality control and attempts at evaluating the aroma quality by sensory profile are discussed in relation to regional varieties, and processing variables. The areas in which further research is required are indicated. The botanical and cultivation aspects and production and trade of the different growing and consuming regions are briefly considered. Available information on other “cardamoms” from related species and genera are summarized.     

Characterization of 12 Capsicum varieties by evaluation of their carotenoid profile and pungency determination

In this research 12 different varieties of Capsicum cultivars belonging to three species (Capsicum chinense, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum frutescens) and of various colour, shape, and dimension have been characterised by their carotenoids and capsaicinoids content. The berries were cultivated in the region Emilia-Romagna, in Northern Italy. The native carotenoid composition was directly investigated by an HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS methodology, for the first time. In total, 52 carotenoids have been identified and considerable variation in carotenoid composition was observed among the various cultivars investigated. Among the cultivars with red colour, some Habanero, Naga morich and Sinpezon showed an high β-carotene content, whereas Serrano, Tabasco and Jalapeno showed an high capsanthin content and the absence of β-carotene. Habanero golden and Scotch Bonnet showed a high lutein, α-carotene and β-carotene amounts, and Habanero orange was rich in antheraxanthin, capsanthin and zeaxanthin. Cis-cryptocapsin was present in high amount in Habanero chocolate.     

A New Method for Sensory Evaluation of Red Pepper Heat

A replacement for the Scoville heat test for the sensory determination of pungency in capsicum products has been developed. Ground red pepper was steeped in 90°C water for 20 min, filtered and the filtrate diluted in 20°C water. Trained panelists compared the heat of pepper extracts with a known concentration of a standard, synthetic capsaicin, (N-vanillyl-n-nonamide). The reproducible results correlated highly with high pressure liquid chromatography.     

Volatile compounds and capsaicinoid content of fresh hot peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) of different Calabrian varieties

BACKGROUND: Because of the great variability in size, shape, colour, pungency and aroma of Calabrian Capsicum annuum(hot pepper), this study was carried out to furnish producers with information on volatile compounds and capsaicinoid content useful for the genetic improvement of this species. Fully ripened fresh peppers of the most widely cultivated varieties were studied. Capsaicinoid content was determined by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection (RP‐HPLC/DAD). Volatile compounds were determined by headspace solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME/GC/MS). RESULTS: Sixty‐four volatile compounds were identified, the main classes being alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes and aliphatic branched‐chain hydrocarbons. The ‘Naso di cane’ (C. annuumvar. abbreviatum) variety contained the lowest amount of volatiles, especially alcohols and aldehydes, while the highest levels of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were found in ‘Vulcan’ and ‘Corno di capra’ varieties. CONCLUSION: From statistical evaluation of the data obtained, each variety showed a typical composition of capsaicinoids and volatiles determining the taste and odour of the hot peppers. These results should be useful in the context of research aimed at selecting varieties with the best sensory characteristics. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

关于辣椒产品开发的几点构想

辣椒中具有保健功能的生理活性成分是辣椒产品开发的重要资源。目前我国辣椒产品还基本停留在传统的工艺和产品上，辣椒产品从产品形式、食用状态、感官质量、产品形象、食用美感在内的商品全方位深层次提升不足，成为制约辣椒产业产品层次提升的瓶颈。运用体验经济理念，通过辣椒调味品的精品化，是实现辣椒产业增值重要途径。     

Drying temperature,endogenous antioxidants and capsaicinoids affect carotenoid stability in paprika (red pepper spice)

The major carotenoids and carotenoid esters in Capsicum annuum L. during thermal dehydration of pepper and storage of the ground product (paprika) were examined with special focus on the role of endogenous antioxidants such as vitamins E and C and capsaicinoids, the pungent materials in hot spice red pepper. A high‐performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed to achieve excellent separation and accurate detection of different carotenoid classes including free xanthophylls, monoesters, carotenes and di‐esters. The newly developed method included gradient elution on a reversed‐phase column with increasing proportions of isopropanol. The results indicated that presence of capsaicinoids in pungent pepper had a favourable effect on the stability of carotenoids during thermal drying. Among various di‐esters those of lutein and zeaxanthine, as well as the mono‐ester of β‐cryptoxanthin were more stable than those of capsorubin and capsanthin, pointing to the possible role of epoxide and carbonyl groups in the susceptibility of carotenoids. An Arrhenius plot for degradation of carotenoids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid as a function of drying temperature showed linear relationships for all components, with ascorbic acid being the most sensitive. During storage in a refrigerator for 3 months the paprika showed high degradation of all the examined carotenoids particularly in samples prepared from pods dried at high temperatures (90 and 100 °C). An exception was for β‐cryptoxanthin mono‐ester and violaxanthin di‐esters in a non‐pungent variety. The amounts of these carotenoids lost during storage were slightly affected by the change in drying temperature. Strong correlation was found between retention of colour in stored paprika and the initial content of ascorbic acid, but not with that of tocopherols or capsaicinoids. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

川菜菜品的辣味物质分析与辣度分级

采用高效液相色谱法测定部分川菜菜品中辣味物质（辣椒素及二氢辣椒素）的含量,根据高效液相色谱分析结果结合感官评价进行辣味分级。根据辣度的强弱分为5级（特辣,辣椒素类物质含量≥0.291 8 g/kg）、4级（辣,辣椒素类物质含量0.092 4～0.291 8 g/kg）、3级（中辣,辣椒素类物质含量0.019 5～0.092 4 g/kg）、2级（微辣,辣椒素类物质含量0.001 95～0.019 5 g/kg）、1级（不辣,辣椒素类物质含量＜0.001 95 g/kg）5 个等级。在123 个样品中,1级样品占39.84%,2级样品占18.70%,3级样品占26.83%,4级样品占12.20%,5级样品占2.44%。实验还分析了辣椒及其制品对样品辣味的影响,样品的辣味不仅与辣椒及其制品的种类和使用量有关,还与加工方式、原料大小、加工温度、调味料等密切相关。     

基于高效液相色谱法的麻辣火锅底料辣度分级模型建立及其在熬煮过程中的变化

基于高效液相色谱法结合感官评价结果,采用SPSS中的Fisher判别分析方式,对火锅底料进行辣度分级,得到麻辣火锅底料的辣度分级模型;研究熬煮过程中辣椒素类物质（capsaicinoids,Cap-S）的含量变化,得到其影响辣度分级的规律。结果表明,仅用感官评价对火锅底料进行辣度分级受感官评价人员的影响较大,结论准确度不高;若以火锅底料中Cap-S含量为分级标准,其正判率界值为24%＞20%,可以很好地将辣度分为5 个等级,分级模型较为合理。火锅底料熬煮过程会影响Cap-S的迁移,Cap-S在油相和水相中处于动态平衡状态,同时调味料中的Cap-S逐渐迁移到汤底中,使得熬煮过程中辣度总是不断发生变化。高效液相色谱法结合感官评价结果对火锅底料进行辣度分级,可以很好地区分火锅底料的辣度,指导消费者购买合适的食品。     

利用PCR-DGGE技术筛选分离海南黄帝椒产品微生物

黄帝椒是海南特产高辣度辣椒。该研究以黄帝椒产品为原料,采用聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)技术分析了其微生物种群关系,并结合传统平板筛选法进行菌种分离及鉴定,获得了海南特辣黄帝椒产品优势微生物。研究结果显示,海南黄帝椒产品平板筛选分离到了Pseudomonas stutzeri,Lactobacillus plantarum,Lactobacillus brevis等可培养的菌株;DGGE图谱中检测到了6个条带,其中,乳酸菌占总菌数的65%,处于最优势地位,假单胞菌占总菌数的16%,处于次要地位。该研究也首次提及了不同的微生物对黄帝椒产品的颜色、脆性的影响。