New Capsicum annuum pepper contains high concentrations of beneficial capsinoids
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
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Recent release of germplasm gives plant breeders, researchers new source of capsinoidsORONO, ME--Researchers have released a new Capsicum annuum pepper germplasm that contains high concentrations of capsinoids. The release was announced in the January 2014 issue of HortScience
by researchers Robert L. Jarret from the USDA/Agricultural Research
Service in Griffin, Georgia, in collaboration with Jason Bolton and L.
Brian Perkins from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at
the University of Maine.
According to the report, the germplasm called "509-45-1" is a small-fruited Capsicum annuum
L. pepper. Fruit of 509-45-1 contain high concentrations of capsiate in
both immature and mature fruit. "The release of 509-45-1 will provide
researchers and plant breeders with a new source of capsinoids, thus
facilitating the production of and further research on these non-pungent
biologically active compounds," Jarret said.
Pungent capsaicinoids--the compounds found in the capsicum family of
plants that give them their signature heat--have many benefits.
Unfortunately, their use as ingredients in foods and pharmaceuticals has
been limited by the very characteristic that makes them popular as a
spice--their pungency. Non-pungent capsinoids, analogs of capsaicinoids,
were first isolated from a sweet pepper cultivar. Capsinoids offer
similar types of biological activity as capsaicinoids without the
pungency, and are known to provide antioxidant activity, enhance adrenal
function, promote metabolism, and suppress body fat accumulation.
The scientists began the breeding process in 2005 by screening 120 Capsicum annuum
cultivars for the occurrence of capsinoids. Further selections
eventually resulted in a single plant bearing immature fruit that
contained greater than 1000 ug·g-1 FW capsinoids with no detectable
capsaicinoids. Seeds harvested from this plant were subsequently
designated as 509-45-1.
Small quantities of seed of 509-45-1 are available for research
purposes from Dr. Jarret. Genetic material of the release has been
deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System, and is available for
research purposes, including the development and commercialization of
new varieties/cultivars. The researchers request appropriate recognition
if 509-45-1 contributes to research, to production of capsinoids, or to
development of breeding lines or cultivars.
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The complete study and abstract are available on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal web site: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/content/49/1/107.full
Founded in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science
(ASHS) is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of
horticultural research, education, and application. More information at ashs.org
This press release also available on EurekAlert! - view here
Original Article:
509-45-1, a Capsicum annuum Pepper Germplasm Containing High Concentrations of Capsinoids Robert L. Jarret, Jason Bolton, and L. Brian Perkins HortScience 49:107-108. [Abstract]
Corresponding author. E-mail: bob.jarret@ars.usda.gov
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