Article
Horticulture
Yamir Jimenez-Viveros, Juan Ignacio Valiente-Banuet
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of colored shading nets on the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and fruit quality of semi-domesticated piquin peppers. The results showed significant effects of shading treatments and maturity stage on capsaicinoid and carotenoid levels in the peppers. Black and blue shading treatments resulted in higher levels of total phenolic compounds in red fruits, which also exhibited higher antioxidant levels compared to green fruits.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mun-Hee Choi, Myung-Hyun Kim, Young-Sil Han
Summary: This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of different colored peppers. Green peppers had the highest concentration of capsaicinoids, while yellow peppers showed the highest antioxidant activity. These results suggest that peppers have potential for the development of functional food materials.
FOOD SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tilen Zamljen, Aljaz Medic, Metka Hudina, Robert Veberic, Ana Slatnar
Summary: This study investigated the metabolic responses of different Capsicum annuum L. genotypes to salt stress. Salt stress led to a decrease in sugar and organic acid content, but an increase in phenolic compounds and capsaicinoids. The effect varied among genotypes and salt concentrations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roger B. B. Tuckeldoe, Mdungazi K. K. Maluleke, P. Adriaanse
Summary: Crop yield is the industry standard for estimating the quantity of horticultural produce harvested. Growing sufficient amounts of high-quality biochemical ingredients crops can aid in resolving concerns with food security and nutrition. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of coconut coir substrate on the yield and biochemical constituents of peppers varieties grown under greenhouse environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Babar Iqbal, Fida Hussain, Muhammad Saleem khan, Taimur Iqbal, Wadood Shah, Baber Ali, Khalid M. Al Syaad, Sezai Ercisli
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the growth and physiological and biochemical characteristics of sweet pepper. The results showed that exogenous GABA supplementation significantly improved vegetative growth, reduced electrolyte leakage, increased chlorophyll and carotenoid content, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. The application of 2mM GABA solution exhibited the highest improvement in morphological traits and biochemical composition.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nasya Tomlekova, Velichka Spasova-Apostolova, Ivelin Pantchev, Fatma Sarsu
Summary: Pepper is the second most important vegetable crop in Bulgarian agriculture and has been extensively bred through induced mutagenesis. A comparison of a mutant variety and its initial variety showed that the mutant had higher levels of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, indicating superior fruit quality. The increased accumulation of beta-carotene in the mutant variety was attributed to a breakdown in the biosynthetic pathway due to the deletion of the CrtZ(chr03) gene.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nina Kacjan Marsic, Petra Stolfa, Dominik Vodnik, Katarina Kosmelj, Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek, Bojka Kump, Rajko Vidrih, Doris Kokalj, Sasa Piskernik, Blaz Ferjancic, Maja Dragutinovic, Robert Veberic, Metka Hudina, Helena Sircelj
Summary: The study investigated the response of grafted bell pepper plants to salt stress and found that grafting onto a salt-tolerant rootstock did not alleviate water balance disturbances or improve water status under increased salt exposure. Fruit yield reductions and metabolic changes were similar in grafted and ungrafted plants, indicating limited rootstock mediation effects on biochemical profiles in pepper fruit under moderate salt treatment.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Maiko Furubayashi, Akiko Kubo, Miho Takemura, Yuko Otani, Takashi Maoka, Yoshinobu Terada, Katsuro Yaoi, Kohji Ohdan, Norihiko Misawa, Yasuo Mitani
Summary: Successful biosynthesis of capsanthin in Escherichia coli was achieved by optimizing CCS gene expression and regulating upstream carotenogenic genes, laying a foundation for further research on CCS activity and capsanthin production in microorganisms.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana Carolina De Aguiar, Juliane Vigano, Ana Gabriela da Silva Anthero, Arthur Luiz Baiao Dias, Miriam Dupas Hubinger, Julian Martinez
Summary: Peppers of the Capsicum genus are widely consumed and have a rich nutritional composition. Supercritical fluid technologies, such as supercritical fluid extraction and supercritical fluid-assisted ultrasound, are being used for pepper processing due to their advantages of using less solvents, short extraction times, specificity, and scalability.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dorota Kostrzewa, Agnieszka Dobrzynska-Inger, Rafal Reszczynski
Summary: This paper discussed the extraction of carotenoids from sweet paprika using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). Factors such as particle size, moisture content, and raw material composition were shown to affect extraction efficiency and carotenoid recovery. Optimal working parameters for high extract yield and carotenoid recovery were identified as extraction of paprika with a moisture content of 7.5 g/100 g and particle size of <0.2 mm using SC-CO2 at 45 MPa and 50 degrees C.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yaning Meng, Hongxiao Zhang, Yanqin Fan, Libin Yan
Summary: By using metabolomics and transcriptomics, this study identified the anthocyanin metabolites and differentially expressed genes in the green and purple fruits of pepper. The unique anthocyanin metabolite, delphin chloride, was found in purple fruits, contributing to the purple color. Several enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were also identified, along with transcription factors. A novel differentially expressed gene was discovered, potentially related to MYB transcription factor. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into anthocyanin accumulation and biosynthesis in peppers.
Article
Agronomy
Adewale Suraj Bello, Imen Saadaoui, Talaat Ahmed, Helmi Hamdi, Maroua Cherif, Tasneem Dalgamouni, Ghamza Al Ghazal, Radhouane Ben-Hamadou
Summary: Cyanobacteria extracts and biomass were found to significantly enhance the growth of bell pepper seedlings, with Roholtiella sp. (Nostocales) showing the most promising results. These findings suggest the potential of cyanobacteria in improving crop growth and productivity in modern agriculture.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Vidak, Boris Lazarevic, Marko Petek, Jerko Gunjaca, Zlatko Satovic, Ivica Budor, Klaudija Carovic-Stanko
Summary: The study investigated the effect of commercial calcite nanoparticles on sweet pepper fruits and found that it can reduce yield and increase fruit firmness, with different effects observed depending on the cultivar.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dennis N. Lozada, Sahithi Reddy Pulicherla, Francisco Omar Holguin
Summary: This study conducted a metabolomics analysis of jalapeno ('NuMex Pumpkin Spice') and serrano ('NuMex LotaLutein') type chile peppers grown in New Mexico. A total of 1088 different metabolites were detected, and 345 metabolites showed significant differences in expression between the two types of peppers. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares demonstrated clustering of the peppers based on cultivars. Pathway annotation revealed 89 metabolites involved in metabolic pathways and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Overall, metabolomics analysis provided valuable insights for improving the nutritional quality traits of Capsicum.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Guadalupe Villa-Rivera, Neftali Ochoa-Alejo
Summary: Chili peppers, an important horticultural crop cultivated and commercialized worldwide, undergo a ripening process that enhances their quality and nutritional value through changes in color, flavor, aroma, and texture. Ripening of chili peppers involves a series of physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes that must be finely regulated at the transcriptional level. This review integrates knowledge on transcription factors regulating different stages of the chili pepper ripening process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Christos Christophi, Theodosia Heracleous, Marinos Markou
Article
Agronomy
Damianos Neocleous, Georgios Nikolaou, Georgia Ntatsi, Dimitrios Savvas
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anastasis Christou, Egli C. Georgiadou, Andreas M. Zissimos, Irene C. Christoforou, Christos Christofi, Damianos Neocleous, Panagiotis Dalias, Vasileios Fotopoulos
Summary: The study found that different concentrations of Cr(VI) had no significant impact on the growth and yield of wheat and lettuce, partially showing a hormetic effect. Additionally, elevated levels of photosynthetic pigments were observed in lettuce leaves exposed to high concentrations of K2Cr2O7, indicating no oxidative stress. The human health risks from consuming these crops were deemed de minimis, but further research is still needed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anastasis Christou, Egli C. Georgiadou, Andreas M. Zissimos, Irene C. Christoforou, Christos Christofi, Damianos Neocleous, Panagiotis Dalias, Andreas Ioannou, Vasileios Fotopoulos
Summary: The exposure of tomato plants to Cr(VI) resulted in oxidative stress in leaves and lower fruit yield at higher concentrations, but improved fruit quality attributes. The total Cr concentration in fruits was found to be well below the permissible limits, indicating safety for consumption. These findings suggest that Cr(VI) can significantly affect agricultural produce quality at the biochemical and molecular levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Damianos Neocleous, Georgios Nikolaou, Georgia Ntatsi, Dimitrios Savvas
Summary: Replacing some nitrate with chloride in the nutrient solution for tomato crops in closed hydroponic systems can enhance nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrate losses. This adjustment does not affect plant growth, yield, or nutrient uptake concentrations.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anastasis Christou, Eleftherios Hadjisterkotis, Panagiotis Dalias, Eleni Demetriou, Maria Christofidou, Sofia Kozakou, Nicos Michael, Chrystalla Charalambous, Militsa Hatzigeorgiou, Eftychia Christou, Demetris Stefani, Evaggelia Christoforou, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: Shooting ranges are highly contaminated areas with lead, which severely contaminates soils and vegetation. However, the contamination of nearby rivers and water reservoirs is minimal.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Damianos Neocleous, Dimitrios Savvas
Summary: This study focuses on implementing new elements in water and nutrient recycling under high salinity conditions for tomato crops. Two nutrient solution control strategies were compared, with recalculated nutrient uptake ratios showing more promising results in maintaining optimal nutrient levels for plant growth, especially under saline conditions.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dedalos Kypris, Georgios Nikolaou, Efstathios Evangelides, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: The aim of this note is to provide an overview of the installation and adjustment of a mechanical standalone automatic device that adjusts irrigation frequency and duration based on weather changes. The hydraulic evapotranspiration multisensor (HEM) consists of an evaporation pan, a float with a magnet, a hydraulic device with a magnetic hydraulic valve for adjusting irrigation frequency, and a hydraulic system for replenishing water lost through evaporation. This note is particularly relevant for arid-semi-arid regions with irrigation-dependent agriculture.
Article
Biophysics
Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Evangelini Kitta, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: This study determines cucumber crop coefficients under different greenhouse microclimatic conditions and parameterizes the Priestley-Taylor reference evapotranspiration model. It is found that there is a significant relationship between crop coefficients and leaf area, and evapotranspiration can be modeled satisfactorily using simple measurements of leaf area index.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dedalos Kypris, Georgios Nikolaou, Eustathios Evangellides, Damianos Neocleous
Summary: The translation introduces a fully mechanical automatic irrigation device called HEM, which can adjust irrigation according to weather changes without requiring electricity. The device is composed of several components and can control irrigation frequency based on evaporation, providing high accuracy and flexibility.
Article
Horticulture
Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Anastasis Christou, Polycarpos Polycarpou, Evangelini Kitta, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: Countries in the Mediterranean region face similar challenges in terms of agricultural sustainability and modern farming practices, with issues like water scarcity, energy use, and climate suitability impacting greenhouse production. While greenhouses in Central and North Europe are equipped with high-tech systems, these may not be suitable for Mediterranean plastic greenhouses due to differences in agronomic needs and energy savings. Identifying energy-efficient solutions tailored to the local climate can improve greenhouse sustainability and crop performance.
Article
Horticulture
Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Anastasis Christou, Polycarpos Polycarpou, Evangelini Kitta, Nikolaos Katsoulas
Summary: Increasing resource efficiency in agricultural systems is crucial for producing adequate food in semi-arid Mediterranean regions. Optimizing irrigation and fertilization practices based on plant-water-soil relationships and greenhouse microclimatic conditions is essential. Advanced technologies are necessary for monitoring and evaluating water and nutrient supply in precision agricultural systems.
