Modification of Light Characteristics Affect the Phytochemical Profile of Peppers

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Abstract

Capsicum is one of the most economically important genera in the Solanaceae family. Capsicum fruits (peppers) are rich in phytochemicals with high nutritional value and significant health-promoting characteristics. The phytochemical profile of peppers consists of capsaicinoids, carotenoids, and phenolics, primarily. Currently, most of the pepper production is carried out under protected horticulture conditions. The objective of this article was to provide a comprehensive review on how light characteristics and manipulation by different horticultural technologies can affect the biosynthesis and accumulation of phytochemicals in Capsicum fruits. The use of shade nets or plastic covers to reduce light intensity does not seem to yield consistent responses on the phytochemical profile, as the final profile results from the interaction of several factors. Other factors involved in the accumulation of phytochemicals include temperature, water availability and plant nutrition. Exposure of plants to supplemental light with specific wavelengths (using LEDs) seems to result in a more precise stimulation of specific metabolites. In this article, we examine the effects of light irradiance and spectrum on the specific phytochemicals of Capsicum fruits.

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Plant Phenolics: Extraction, Analysis and Their Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties

Jin Dai, Russell Mumper (2010)

Phenolics are broadly distributed in the plant kingdom and are the most abundant secondary metabolites of plants. Plant polyphenols have drawn increasing attention due to their potent antioxidant properties and their marked effects in the prevention of various oxidative stress associated diseases such as cancer. In the last few years, the identification and development of phenolic compounds or extracts from different plants has become a major area of health- and medical-related research. This review provides an updated and comprehensive overview on phenolic extraction, purification, analysis and quantification as well as their antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the anticancer effects of phenolics in-vitro and in-vivo animal models are viewed, including recent human intervention studies. Finally, possible mechanisms of action involving antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity as well as interference with cellular functions are discussed.

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Light-regulated transcriptional networks in higher plants.

Yuling Jiao, On Sun Lau, Xing Deng (2007)

Plants have evolved complex and sophisticated transcriptional networks that mediate developmental changes in response to light. These light-regulated processes include seedling photomorphogenesis, seed germination and the shade-avoidance and photoperiod responses. Understanding the components and hierarchical structure of the transcriptional networks that are activated during these processes has long been of great interest to plant scientists. Traditional genetic and molecular approaches have proved powerful in identifying key regulatory factors and their positions within these networks. Recent genomic studies have further revealed that light induces massive reprogramming of the plant transcriptome, and that the early light-responsive genes are enriched in transcription factors. These combined approaches provide new insights into light-regulated transcriptional networks.

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Carotenoid metabolism in plants.

Nazia Nisar, Li Li, Shan Lu … (2015)

Carotenoids are mostly C40 terpenoids, a class of hydrocarbons that participate in various biological processes in plants, such as photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, photoprotection, and development. Carotenoids also serve as precursors for two plant hormones and a diverse set of apocarotenoids. They are colorants and critical components of the human diet as antioxidants and provitamin A. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the genes and enzymes involved in carotenoid metabolism and describe recent progress in understanding the regulatory mechanisms underlying carotenoid accumulation. The importance of the specific location of carotenoid enzyme metabolons and plastid types as well as of carotenoid-derived signals is discussed.