Genetic Regulation, Environmental Cues, and Extraction Methods for Higher Yield of Secondary Metabolites in Capsicum

Abstract

Capsicum (chili pepper) is a widely popular and highly consumed fruit crop with beneficial secondary metabolites such as capsaicinoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, among others. Interestingly, the secondary metabolite profile is a dynamic function of biosynthetic enzymes, regulatory transcription factors, developmental stage, abiotic and biotic environment, and extraction methods. We propose active manipulable genetic, environmental, and extraction controls for the modulation of quality and quantity of desired secondary metabolites in Capsicum species. Specific biosynthetic genes such as Pun (AT3) and AMT in the capsaicinoids pathway and PSY, LCY, and CCS in the carotenoid pathway can be genetically engineered for enhanced production of capsaicinoids and carotenoids, respectively. Generally, secondary metabolites increase with the ripening of the fruit; however, transcriptional regulators such as MYB, bHLH, and ERF control the extent of accumulation in specific tissues. The precise tuning of biotic and abiotic factors such as light, temperature, and chemical elicitors can maximize the accumulation and retention of secondary metabolites in pre-and postharvest settings. Finally, optimized extraction methods such as ultrasonication and supercritical fluid method can lead to a higher yield of secondary metabolites. Together, the integrated understanding of the genetic regulation of biosynthesis, elicitation treatments, and optimization of extraction methods can maximize the industrial production of secondary metabolites in Capsicum.

Optimizing chili production in drought stress: combining Zn-quantum dot biochar and proline for improved growth and yield

“…Inadequate water supply during crucial growth stages detrimentally impacts plant development, resulting in smaller fruits, diminished yield, and increased vulnerability to diseases and pests. Prolonged drought exacerbates these challenges by impairing the plant's capacity to synthesize essential compounds such as capsaicinoids and vitamins, thereby compromising the quality and quantity of chili harvests 22 .…”

Characterization of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity in sweet pepper fruits during ripening and its inhibition by nitration and reducing events

“…On the contrary, the ripening process of pepper fruits involves many changes at the phenotypic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels, and its big genome size, in comparison to other Solanaceae, makes its analysis complex (Dyachenko et al 2020 ; Razo-Mendivil et al 2021 ; Esposito et al 2022 ; Kovács et al 2022 ; Del Giúdice et al 2023 ). Recently, “omic” approaches have been carried out to study specific aspects of the ripening process (Chiaiese et al 2019 ; Dubey et al 2019 ; Zuo et al 2019 ; Lopez-Ortiz et al 2021 ; Rödiger et al 2021 ; Momo et al 2022 ; Villa-Rivera et al 2022 ; Song et al 2022 ; Liu et al 2023 ; Wang et al 2024 ) which are dependent on the variety, environmental growth conditions, fruit position, and ripening stage (Ribes-Moya et al 2020 ; Jang et al 2022 ; Lahbib et al 2023 ; Guijarro-Real et al 2023 ; Islam et al 2023 ). Despite the increase in information on the ripening of pepper fruits, to our knowledge, there is no data on the LAP in this process.…”

Mitigation of drought stress in chili plants (Capsicum annuum L.) using mango fruit waste biochar, fulvic acid and cobalt

“…Insufficient water availability during critical growth phases negatively affects the progress of plants, leading to smaller yields, reduced productivity, and heightened susceptibility to pests and diseases 17 . Extended periods of drought worsen these difficulties by hindering the plant's ability to produce vital substances like capsaicinoids and vitamins, ultimately compromising the quality and quantity of chili crops 20 .…”