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The length of time a crop is exposed to competition for resources in an intercrop is a determinant to its performance. Field experiments were carried to determine effects of time of initiation of intercropping Egusi melon (Citrullus vulgaris Thunb) on growth and fruit yield of two pepper species: [Capsicum chinense (L.) and C. frutescens (L.)]. Egusi melon was planted simultaneously with pepper (SWP), and at 2 and 4 weeks after transplanting pepper (WATP), mono-cropped Egusi melon and mono-cropped pepper were used as checks. Time of initiation of intercropping melon with pepper did not affect all vegetative growth parameters of pepper. Number of branches of melon was reduced when it was monocropped. Number and duration of pepper harvests in 2017 were higher in C. frutescens than C. chinense, but were similar for both species in 2018. In both pepper species, fruit yield reduction was more when melon was intercropped SWP. Seed yield of melon was more when it was intercropped SWP. Land equivalent ratio in 2017 was greater relative to 2018. Initiation of intercropping melon at 2 or 4 WATP may improve pepper yield, while initiation of intercropping melon simultaneously with pepper may improve yield of Egusi melon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to our insight, it is the first investigation based on a literature review to establish the oxidative stress defense and hypoglycemic effects of Capsicum frutescens fruits. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of acetone extract of the fruits of C. frutescens (CFA) was imposed at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg for 21 days in diabetic-induced Wistar rats. The rats were divided into five groups as control, diabetic, diabetic receiving glibenclamide, and two diabetic receiving CFA-treatment groups. Beginning on the 4th day and up to the 21st day of therapy, CFA at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg demonstrated a substantial decrease in Blood Glucose Levels (BGL). CFA at 500mg/kg led to a considerable decrease in Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a substantial increase in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, showing that CFA possesses anti-diabetic properties. Histopathological examinations reveal hepatic, pancreatic, and renal regularization. As a result, the current study clearly demonstrated more important antidiabetic activity of CFA extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese wild pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) acts as a source of genetic variability for cultivated pepper breeding. High-resolution quantitative train locus (QTL) mapping is essential for identifying genetic regions related to important phenotype variation. In this study, a set of 120 F2 populations derived from a cross between cultivar Capsicum annuum '007EA' and the wild relative Capsicum frutescens 'P1512' (Chinese wild pepper) were generated, and genotyping was performed with genotyping-by-sequencing. Next, an interspecific high-density genetic map containing 3708 bins was constructed using a sliding window approach. The genetic distance of the total map was 5601.79 cM, and the average interval between bins was 1.51 cM. Based on the genetic map, a QTL analysis of the pepper horticultural traits was performed. A total of 25 significant QTLs controlling nine horticultural traits were detected on 12 linkage groups (LGs), and contributed values of phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 1.90% to 59.03%, with LOD scores ranging from 4.2 to 24.6. In addition, the QTLs for the main stem length, flowering date and numbers of leaves were observed at the same position. Next, we mapped a set of significant QTLs for yield-related traits and other horticultural traits in pepper, based on a high-density genetic linkage map, using GBS. These genetic map and markers are valuable genomic resources for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of excellent agronomic traits and will provide a basis for further fine mapping and comparative genomics research involving pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the anti-hyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities of hydro-ethanolic fruits extract of Capsicum frutescens in hyperlipidemia rats. The secondary volatile metabolite constituents of the extract were identified using Gas chromatography. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract (0.2–1.0 mg/mL) was investigated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH.). In vivo antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties of the extract were evaluated in triton X-100-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Gas chromatogram indicates the presence of 13 compounds with tans β-ocimene being the major constituent. The extract scavenged DPPH, H2O2 and OH. radicals in concentrations dependent manner. C. frutescens reversed triton X-100-mediated increase in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, and reduction in high-density lipoprotein. Triton X-100-mediated decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose 6-phospahte dehydrogenase were significantly reversed by the extract. The results indicate that C. frutescens has antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimum spacing in a suitable environment is an important requirement for improved pepper (Capsicum spp.) performance. Spacing recommendations have been based on specie growth habit. Field experiments were conducted in a tropical forest-savanna/transition zone in south western Nigeria to investigate effects of plant spacing on growth and fruit yield of two pepper species: C. chinense (L) and C. frutescens (L). Pepper plants were established at spacings of 50 × 45 cm and 75 × 30 cm, each giving a plant density of 44444 plants∙ha−1. Spacing did not affect vegetative growth of pepper, but the week of sampling and year of cultivation. With both species, the rate of increase in plant height was greater between 4 and 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT) but declined between 12 and 14 WAT. Both species of pepper grew taller in 2014 than in 2013. The rate of increase in vegetative growth of both pepper species was higher with 50 × 45 cm spacing than for 75 × 30 cm spacing. C. chinense and C. frutescens in 2014 attained 50% flowering 10 and 13 days earlier than in 2013, and had harvest durations of 16 and 12 days longer, respectively, in 2013 than in 2014. Fruit yield of C. chinense in 2013 was 4.43 Mt∙ha−1, but was reduced by 45% in 2014. Fruit yield of C. frutescens at 50 × 45 cm was 5.53 Mt∙ha−1 but was reduced by 24% at 75 × 30 cm spacing. With C. chinense, fruit yield was similar, irrespective of spacing. For high yield, C. frutescens can be established at 50 × 45 cm spacing and C. chinense at either 50 × 45 or 75 × 30 cm spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study,Capsicum frutescenswas extracted by supercritical CO2, ultrasound assisted and traditional solvent (ethanol, water and ethanol: water (50:50)) extraction methods. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed and comparison with TBHQ by DPPH and β-carotene bleaching methods was done. Moreover, efficacy ofC. frutescensextracts in stabilizing soybean oil during accelerated storage was studied. The results show that the extract form ethanol: water (50:50) ultrasonic treatment had the highest amount of phenols (810 mg gallic acid/ gr extract, tocopherols (233.01 μg α-tocopherol/mL extract) and antocyanin content (331.59 μg/mL extract) caused to evaluate its highest antioxidant activity (65.97% radical scavenging and 49.6% β-carotene-linoleic bleaching) and thermal stability (4.68 h) at 120°C in soybean oil. However, the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method as a safe extraction method also preserved the phenolic, tocopherol and antocyanin content ofC. frutescensextract (705.9 mg gallic acid/ gr extract, 299.29 μg α-tocopherol/ mL extract and 300.66 μg/ mL extract, respectively). And can remarkably protect the oil from lipid oxidation (OSI, 4.50 h). Results of different extraction methods can strongly reveal theC. frutescensextracts has remarkable potential for stabilization of edible oils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cultural practices can affect growth and yield of hot pepper (Capsicum frutescensL). Experiments were carried out in 2009 and 2010 to investigate growth and fruit yield of hot pepper as affected by bed height and intrarow spacing. Six-week-old transplants were established at an 80-cm interrow spacing with intrarow spacings of 20, 30, or 40 cm and bed heights of 20, 30, and 40 cm. Intrarow spacing did not affect growth and yield. Relative to 30- and 20-cm-high beds, planting on 40-cm-high beds increased number of leaves/plant by 70% and 48%, number of fruits/plant by 58% and 86%, and fruit yield·per hectare by 64% and 97%, respectively. At the 40-cm intrarow spacing, on 40-cm-high beds, fruit weight/plant was higher by 196% and 138% relative to 20- and 30-cm-high beds, respectively. Plant height, number of leaves/plant, and leaf area index (LAI) contributed 79%, 75%, and 84%, respectively, to fruit yield; number of fruits/plant and fruit weight/plant contributed 89% and 92%, respectively, to fruit yield. Planting pepper at 40-cm intrarow spacing with 40-cm bed height is recommended to optimize production space and increase yield. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Powders and extracts prepared from part and products of four plants species indigenous to Nigeria were tested under laboratory condition at 28 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity for their insecticidal potential against Angoumois grain moth,Sitotroga cerealella. AdultS. cerealellawere exposed to three concentrations at rate 0.5, 1 and 2 g ofCapsicum frutescens,Cymbopogon citratus,Moringa oleiferaandAnacardium occidentalepowders and extracts at the rate of 1, 2 and 3%/20 g of wheat grains. Parameters evaluated were adult moth mortality, adult emergence and % hatchability in treated wheat grains after infestation. Results show that significant differences (p < 0.05) existed among the powders and the concentrations. The powder ofC. frutescenshad the highest mortality rate of 100% after two days of application at all tested concentrations. There were no adult emergence of moth in samples treated withC. frutescensandA. occidentalepowders. The extracts completely killed all the adult moths introduced at all tested concentrations. The survival of the moth from egg to adult when treated with the plant powders showed that there was significantly (p < 0.05) more adult in the control (71.3) compared to others. Extracts of all the tested plants were toxic to adult moth and also prevent hatching of the eggs ofS. cerealella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal roots of Capsicum frutescens were excised from tissue-cultured plants into half strength Murashige and Skoog's medium with 2.23 μM naphthalene acetic acid. Maximum growth of cultured roots was 6.5 g fresh weight 40 ml -1 , as recorded on day 20. Even though normal roots were unable to accumulate capsaicin, they contained other phenylpropanoid intermediates and vanillylamine, as detected by HPLC analysis. Normal roots of Capsicum frutescens were treated with ferulic acid and protocatechuic aldehyde in order to study their biotransformation ability. Ferulic acid, which is the nearest precursor to vanillin, when fed at concentrations of 1 and 2 mM led to the accumulation of vanilla flavour metabolites, vanillin being the major one. In cultures treated with 1 and 2 mM ferulic acid, maximum vanillin accumulation of 12.3 and 16.4 μM was observed, on day 6 after precursor addition, respectively. Feeding of ferulic acid and β-cyclodextrin complex (2 mM each) enhanced the accumulation of biotransformed products. Moreover, vanillin accumulation was recorded as 24.7 μM on day 6 after precursor addition, which was 1.5 times higher than in cultures fed with ferulic acid (2 mM) alone. When ferulic acid was fed along with β-cyclodextrin (1 mM each) to cultures growing in a three-litre bubble column bioreactor, the maximum vanillin production of 10.7 μM was obtained; other vanilla flavour metabolites were also formed after 9 days of precursor addition. Root cultures could also biotransform protocatechuic aldehyde wherein a maximum vanillin production of 7.9 μM was recorded on day 6 after precursor addition. The bioconversion efficiency was observed to be 5-7% in case of ferulic acid fed cultures and 3.2% in case of protocatechuic aldehyde fed cultures suggesting the possible channelling of precursors to alternate biosynthetic pathways such as lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell suspension cultures of Capsicum frutescens accumulated digoxin, purpureaglycoside A and other unknown derivatives when digitoxin, a cardiac glycoside, was used as a precursor. The feeding of digitoxin complexed with β-cyclodextrin increased the accumulation of digoxin, purpureaglycoside A and other unknown derivatives. Control cultures (without digitoxin) did not produce any of these metabolites. The growth of cells was affected by both digitoxin as well as digitoxin-β-cyclodextrin. The accumulation of purpureaglycoside A and digoxin reached a maximum of 1241 and 374 μg 100 ml -1 culture on the 6th and 2nd day, respectively, which was 3.9 and 4.5 fold higher than cultures treated with digitoxin alone (sampled on the 13th day). The other unknown derivatives formed in digitoxin-β-cyclodextrin fed cultures were 15 times higher than digitoxin alone fed C. frutescens cultures. The addition of glucose to digitoxin-β-cyclodextrin treated cultures increased the accumulation of purpureaglycoside A which reached a maximum of 3589 μg 100 ml -1 culture after 12 h incubation, which was a 2.9 fold increase over cultures treated with digitoxin-β-cyclodextrin alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]