Capsaicin accumulation is related to nitrate content in placentas of habanero peppers (Capsicum chinense Jacq.)

BACKGROUND: The presence of capsaicin, the pungent principle of peppers, is restricted to the fruits of hot cultivars. This compound, which is produced in the fruits' placenta, requires 3 mol of nitrogen to be formed. Hence nitrogen availability may affect pepper pungency through its content in the fruit tissues. On the other hand, potassium may also affect pepper pungency given its positive effect on fruit development. In order to address this issue, plants of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) were hydroponically cultured with various doses of nitrate and potassium and the contents of these ions and capsaicin were analyzed in the different fruit tissues. RESULTS: Treatments did not produce major effects on pod yield or size during the experimental period, and pepper pods from plants growing under low nitrate concentrations presented no significant differences in total nitrate content. However, lower nitrate, as well as low capsaicin contents, were found in the isolated placentas from peppers grown on the lowest nitrate doses. Variations in potassium availability resulted in differences in pod production per plant, but not in capsaicinoid accumulation. CONCLUSION: Under the assayed conditions, nitrate content in the placenta affects capsaicin synthesis. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

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     

盐渍辣椒汁成分分析与干椒复水制备辣椒酱工艺优化

剁椒盐渍保藏过程中产生约15%的盐渍辣椒汁,该研究将干辣椒与其混合制备辣椒酱,通过气质联用（GC-MS）法分析辣椒酱的挥发性成分,并采用单因素和正交试验优化干红椒与盐渍辣椒汁制备辣椒酱的复水条件。结果表明,盐渍辣椒汁适宜的干红椒品种为天鹰椒;最佳复水条件为：干红椒与盐渍辣椒汁质量比为1∶4,复水温度30 ℃,复水时间5 d。在此优化条件下,色彩饱和度37.23,干红椒复水比3.24,综合加权评分为13.44。干红椒与盐渍辣椒汁制得的辣椒酱检测出23种挥发性成分,其中酸类化合物有6种、醛类7种、酯类3种、醇类2种、烯烃类2种、酮类2种及其他类1种,感官评分为20.2分。该辣椒酱品质优良,具有一定市场开发价值。     

贵州遵义辣椒矿质元素含量与其品质相关性分析

采集贵州遵义地区辣椒样品,测定辣椒样品的12?种矿质元素（K、Ca、Mg、P、S、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu、Mo、Ni、Co）含量与4?种品质指标（辣椒碱、VC、蛋白质、干物质）,探讨辣椒品质与矿质元素的关系,利用主成分分析和聚类分析对辣椒品质进行分析。结果表明：遵义辣椒矿质元素含量呈现K＞P＞S＞Mg＞Ca＞Fe＞Zn＞Mn＞Cu＞Ni＞Mo＞Co的特征。与前人研究结果相比,遵义辣椒的蛋白质、VC、干物质含量高,营养丰富,而辣椒碱含量变化大。辣椒VC与Cu含量呈显著正相关（r=0.584,P＜0.05,n=16）,与K、Ca、Mg、P、S、Zn含量亦呈正相关关系。主成分分析的前2?个主成分解释的总方差贡献率为49.368%,辣椒碱是辣椒品质评价的重要参考指标,K、Mg、P、S、Zn、Cu、Ni、Co为辣椒果实的特征元素。聚类分析结果表明辣椒品质和矿质元素在不同地域间存在差异,同一地域辣椒的品质与矿质元素含量往往相近,辣椒品质存在明显的地域分布特征。     

不同浓度水杨酸处理对辣椒保鲜效果的影响

用浓度为0.1%、0.2%、0.3%的水杨酸溶液分别对辣椒进行浸泡处理30s,自然晾干后置于室温下袋装贮藏,通过测定失重率、红果率、腐烂率、VC含量和可溶性固形物含量,研究水杨酸对辣椒的保鲜效果。结果表明,经过水杨酸处理后辣椒的失重率、红果率、腐烂率均比对照低,且有效地抑制了VC和可溶性固形物含量的损失。其中浓度为0.2%的水杨酸溶液对辣椒的保鲜效果较好。     

Mapping the Pungency of Green Pepper Using Hyperspectral Imaging

The pungency level of green peppers is dependent on the amounts of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin they contain. This study was conducted to develop a non-destructive method for the prediction and mapping of the capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents in green pepper. Hyperspectral images of 200 total green peppers of three varieties were acquired in the wavelength range of 1000–1600 nm, from which the mean spectra of each pepper variety were extracted. The reference capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents of the samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Quantitative calibration models were built using partial least squares (PLS) regression with different spectral preprocessing techniques; the best performance was found by normalizing the preprocessed spectra with correlation coefficients (r_pred) of 0.86 and 0.59, which showed the standard errors of prediction (SEPs) of 0.09 and 0.03 mg/g for capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, respectively. Seventeen and 16 optimal wavebands were selected using the successive projections algorithm; r_pred of 0.88 and 0.68 and SEPs of 0.084 and 0.027 mg/g were obtained for capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, respectively, from the newly developed PLS calibration models using these optimal wavebands. The successive projections algorithm (SPA)-PLS model was used to map the capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents of the green peppers. These maps provided detailed information on the pungency levels of the tested green peppers. The results of this study indicated that hyperspectral imaging is useful for the rapid and non-destructive evaluation of the pungency of green peppers.     

不同品种辣椒发酵豆瓣酱的品质分析

以二荆条、美国红和千斤红辣椒为研究对象,探讨辣椒品种及复配制备豆瓣酱发酵前后的色泽、辣度、有机酸、氨基酸和挥发性组分的变化,采用多元数据分析评估品质差异。结果表明,豆瓣酱经发酵后色泽变暗、辣度降低、有机酸和氨基酸增加、主体风味类似。二荆条为原料的豆瓣酱的总辣椒素含量为（0.39±0.02） g/kg,高于其他两种原料;而美国红则是氨基酸和挥发性组分含量较高,分别为（37.31±0.45） g/kg和（14.24±0.70） mg/kg;千斤红仅有机酸含量较高,为（50.12±0.17） g/kg。多元数据分析结果表明,发酵改变了豆瓣酱的品质特点,一定程度上减弱了品种带入的品质差异。综合分析认为,二荆条和美国红混椒用于新型豆瓣酱能改善品质。     

不同浓度壳聚糖处理对辣椒保鲜效果的影响

利用浓度为1.0%、1.5%、2.0%的壳聚糖溶液对辣椒果实进行涂膜处理,常温袋装贮藏,定期测定其理化指标,研究壳聚糖对辣椒果实的保鲜效果。结果表明,壳聚糖溶液涂膜处理能降低辣椒红果率、失重率、腐烂指数,减少可溶性固形物、VC的损失,能够保持辣椒果实贮藏品质,其中浓度为1.5%的壳聚糖溶液涂膜处理效果较好。     

Pakistani Bell Pepper (Capsicum annum L.): Chemical Compositions and its Antioxidant Activity

A total of 33 compounds of bell pepper volatile oils were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in the volatile dichloromethane extract obtained from Pakistani bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.), locally known as Shimla Mirch. The main constituents of the volatile oils of bell pepper (fresh and dried) were benzaldehyde (20.9–3%), 2-methoxy-3-isobutyl-pyrazine (20.4–9%), Z-β-ocimene (13–3%), 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone (12.7–2.5%), and β-ionone (12.1–0.9%). Non volatile components of bell pepper ‘Twingo’ and Bell Pepper No. 1 (fresh and dried) were extracted with n-hexane and methanol. All extracts from solvent extraction and the volatile extract described above exhibited clear antioxidant activities at levels of 10–60 μg/mL in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl/linoleic acid and β-carotene bleaching assays. The dried bell pepper ‘Twingo’ volatile oil inhibited 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl activity by 70.95 ± 0.89%, at a concentration of 60 μg/mL. This study indicates that Pakistani bell pepper could be used to produce novel natural antioxidants as well as a flavoring agent in various food products.     

1-MCP处理对采后红椒质构性能的影响

为探讨1-甲基环丙烯（1-methylcyclopropene,1-MCP）对采后红椒质地的影响,以“洛椒118”淮安红椒为材料,采用质构仪质地多面分析方法、压缩测试结合相关性分析法和主成分分析法对红椒质地特性进行分析。结果表明：不同剂量1-MCP处理均能较好地延缓采后红椒按压力的下降,其中0.5、1.0 mL/L 1-MCP处理的作用更明显;另外,1-MCP处理可较好地保持红椒硬度、黏着性、咀嚼性、回复性等质构性能,结合主成分分析的结果,1.0 mL/L 1-MCP处理对红椒的保鲜效果较佳。     

茉莉酸甲酯处理对青圆椒采后冷害生理与营养品质的影响

目的：研究茉莉酸甲酯（methyl jasmonate,MeJA）处理对青圆椒采后冷害生理与营养品质的影响。方法：采用30 μmol/L MeJA溶液浸泡‘京甜3号’青圆椒10 min（以蒸馏水浸泡为对照）,阴干后于4 ℃贮藏。对青圆椒的冷害指数、质量损失率、硬度、可溶性固形物质量分数、总叶绿素含量、抗氧化物质（VC、总酚、类黄酮）含量和丙二醛含量进行测定,并对多酚氧化酶（polyphenol oxidase,PPO）、过氧化物酶（peroxidase,POD）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（ascorbate peroxidase,APX）、过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）的活力进行测定。结果：与对照相比,MeJA处理能明显抑制青圆椒冷害的发生,延缓VC、总酚、类黄酮等抗氧化物质含量的下降,显著提高PPO、POD、APX、CAT等抗氧化酶活力（P＜0.05、P＜0.01）,提高青圆椒果实的抗氧化能力,延缓青圆椒品质劣变。结论：MeJA处理能够减轻冷藏期间青圆椒的冷害,维持青圆椒冷藏期间的品质,延长青圆椒的贮藏期。     

烹调方式及4℃模拟配送中青椒营养品质及亚硝酸盐含量变化

本实验通过测定同一烹调成熟度下我国主要烹调方式及模拟餐饮冷藏配送过程中青椒营养品质和亚硝酸盐含量的变化,确定青椒最佳冷藏配送时间以及准确评估我国居民营养素的摄入量。以青椒为原料,以硬度作为烹调成熟度的统一标准,以传统烹调方式炒制、蒸制、煮制、微波为烹调方法,研究青椒在烹调后及模拟4℃冷藏配送0、1、4、8、12、24 h复热青椒的营养品质及亚硝酸含量变化。结果表明:烹调使VC含量显著降低,烹调后其真实保存率为76.3%~84.0%;总酚含量和抗氧化活性烹调后显著增加,总酚含量的真实保存率、1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基清除能力的真实保存率、铁离子还原能力的真实保存率分别为97.7%~130.6%、156.76%~203.79%、156.94%~172.53%;除煮制使青椒可溶性固形物含量显著降低22.06%,其他几种烹调方式可以很好地保存可溶性固形物。烹调还会使亚硝酸盐含量显著降低6%~18%,更利于人体健康。在统一烹调标准下,不同烹调方式对VC含量影响无显著差异,炒制较其他几种方式相比能更多地增加总酚含量,蒸制和煮制能更多地增加抗氧化活性,煮制可以更多地减少亚硝酸盐的含量。综合而言,蒸制处理的青椒能更好地保持青椒的营养品质,且显著降低亚硝酸盐含量,更利于人体健康,建议对青椒的食用以蒸制处理后食用为好。在24 h模拟配送过程中,烹调青椒的营养品质呈下降趋势,亚硝酸盐含量呈缓慢上升趋势;蒸制和微波处理的青椒品质变化相对缓慢,更适宜作为模拟冷配送的前处理过程;营养物质在前8 h内快速下降,亚硝酸盐含量在模拟配送24 h显著增加,建议以青椒为原料的餐饮冷藏配送时间不宜超过24 h,且应在前8 h内采取保护措施。     

HPLC Analysis of Capsaicinoids Extracted from Whole Orange Habañero Chili Peppers

ABSTRACT: A rapid, single-stage, quantitative extraction procedure is described for high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in whole chili peppers. Individual and multiple Capsicum chinense (orange habañero) pepper samples were analyzed in a 2 y study. Peppers, both undried and dried, contained average values of 1250 ppm capsaicin and 540 ppm dihydrocapsaicin relative to undried weight. Relative to dry weight, the orange habañero peppers contained 8840 ppm capsaicin and 3940 ppm dihydrocapsaicin.     

Firmness and Cell Wall Characteristics of Pasteurized Jalapeño Pepper Rings Affected by Calcium Chloride and Acetic Acid

Pepper rings packed in brine containing CaCl₂ were firmer, had higher bound calcium, chelator soluble pectin and pectin DE, and less water-soluble pectin (WSP) than peppers packed in brine containing no CaCl₂. Pepper rings packed in low acid brines (1% and 1.2% acetic acid) were firmer and had less WSP than those packed in high acid brine. Those samples (4% acetic acid) resulted in softening and pectin solubilization, but CaCl₂ resulted in less softening. Monosaccharide composition of cell walls was not affected by CaCl₂ or acetic acid. Firmness retention in CaCl₂ treated samples was probably due to greater association between calcium ions and pectic substances, which resisted acid hydrolysis.     

Capsaicinoid Contents in Peppers and Pepper-Related Spicy Foods

The quantification of the major capsaicinoids, namely nordihydrocapsaicin, capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, and homodihydrocapsaicin, present in spicy foods made from peppers has been performed. The capsaicin content is directly related to the pungency properties of foods that contain hot peppers. The samples studied included 10 different dried hot peppers, 19 hot sauces, 4 kinds of paprika, and 4 different ketchups. The range of concentrations of capsaicinoids found were as follows: dried hot peppers (554.1–1705.9 mol kg^?1), paprikas (582.0–665.0 mol kg^?1), spicy ketchups (4.0–12.4 mol kg^?1), and hot sauces (4.6–843.8 mol kg^?1). Variability in the capsaicinoid content was found, with capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin present at the highest levels. The capsaicin content was generally higher than the dihydrocapsaicin content.     

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。     

基于主成分与聚类分析的辣椒品质综合评价

通过对18种鲜辣椒的24项指标进行主成分分析和聚类分析,对18种鲜辣椒进行综合品质评价。结果表明:辣椒表皮大多光滑,除"陶岭三味辣椒"是平肩状态外,其余辣椒呈圆肩状态,辣椒果尖都呈凸起状态。果宽直径与果柄宽度、单果重、含水率呈极显著正相关(p<0.01)。还原糖与可溶性固形物、总糖呈极显著正相关(p<0.01);与含水率、蔗糖呈极显著负相关(p<0.01)。可溶性固形物与还原糖、总糖、总酸呈极显著正相关(p<0.01);与蔗糖、氨基酸态氮呈极显著负相关(p<0.01)。通过筛选得出"艳美"、"C622"和"博辣天己"这3种辣椒的综合得分最好,适宜推广与研究,对进一步开发不同地区辣椒资源有一定的指导意义。     

Effects of Processing Treatments on Recovery of Capsaicin in Jalapeno Peppers

Capsaicin content in frozen, cooked and canned jalapeno peppers was quantified using GLC analysis and compared to the capsaicin content in raw peper. The frozen peppers were blanched for 3 min and stored at -18°C; canned peppers were blanched for 3 min and processed at 100°C for 50 min; cooked peppers boiled at 100°C for 10 min. Results demonstrated a significant difference (a = 0.05) between each treatment and the raw pepper. Frozen and canned peppers retained approximately one-half of the capsaicinoid compounds that were present in raw pepper.     

Characterization of total capsaicinoids,colour and volatile compounds of Habanero chilli pepper (Capsicum chinense Jack.) cultivars grown in Yucatan

Total capsaicinoids, colour and volatile compounds of 10 Habanero chilli pepper (Capsicum chinense Jack.) cultivars grown in Yucatan, grouped by their colours: four red, five orange and one brown, were determined. The content of capsaicinoids, responsible for the pungency of chilli peppers, varied between 41.8 and 65.9 mg g⁻¹ dry fruit. Mean concentration of orange cultivars was 55.0 mg g⁻¹, while red cultivars had 45.0 mg g⁻¹ dry fruit, indicating that the first ones are more pungent. The composition of volatile compounds of the Habanero chilli peppers differs clearly for the different cultivars. Orange and brown cultivars have in general higher amounts of esters, with their fruity odour notes, than red cultivars. These differences are reflected in the amount of total volatiles, which is higher in orange and brown cultivars in comparison with red cultivars. From these results it can be concluded that orange and brown cultivars are better in terms of their flavour-relevant chemical composition than red cultivars.