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PubMed1967

Microflora of black and red pepper.

Dilution cultures of 30 samples of ground black pepper yielded an average of 39,000 colonies of fungi per g, with a range of 1,700 to 310,000 per g. Total numbers of colonies of bacteria from 11 samples averaged 194,000,000 per g, with a range from 8,300,000 to 704,000,000 per g. A variety of fungi grew from nearly all surface-disinfected whole peppercorns that were cultured. Thirteen samples of ground red pepper from the United States yielded an average of 1,600 colonies of storage fungi per g and an equal number of other fungi; five samples from India yielded an average of 78,900 colonies of storage fungi per g and 169,400 colonies of other fungi per g. Among the fungi from both black and red pepper were Aspergillus flavus and A. ochraceus, some isolates of which, when grown for 8 to 10 days on moist autoclaved corn and fed to white rats or to 2-day-old Pekin ducklings, were rapidly lethal to them. Aflatoxin B(1) was isolated from one of the samples of corn on which A. flavus from black pepper was grown. Among the bacteria isolated from ground black pepper were Escherichia coli, E. freudii, Serratia sp., Klebsiella sp., Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Streptococcus sp. No cultures of Shigella or Salmonella were found.

Aflatoxins↗

PubMed2001

Response to trisodium phosphate treatment of Salmonella Chester attached to fresh-cut green pepper slices.

A laboratory model using green pepper disks was developed to investigate the attachment of Salmonella Chester on plant tissue and to evaluate the effectiveness of sanitizer agents in inactivating attached bacteria on fruits. Pepper disks (14 mm in diam, and 3-4 mm in thickness) were immersed in a bacterial suspension containing 1.5 x 107 cfu x mL(-1) of S. Chester for 30 s and subsequently air-dried at room temperature for 10 min. Approximately 30% of the bacteria retained on the disk after immersion were firmly attached and could not be removed by two washes and agitation. A positive correlation was observed between the number of bacteria attached and the concentration of bacteria in the suspension. Population studies and scanning electron microscopic examinations revealed that attachment of S. Chester on pepper disks occurred mainly on the surfaces of injured (cut) tissue but rarely on the unbroken skin. When inoculated disks were treated with 3% to 12% (w/v) of trisodium phosphate (TSP) at pH 12.3 for 5 min, the population of bacteria on the disk was reduced by 10- to 100-fold. A small portion (0.7% to 7.1%) of bacteria attached to the disk were either resistant to or protected from the TSP treatment. When the pH of TSP solution was reduced from 12.3 to 4.5, the effectiveness of TSP in inactivating S. Chester on pepper disks was reduced by 26%. This study shows that surfaces of injured fruit tissue are the principal sites for bacterial attachment, and a small portion of the bacteria attached to the tissue are resistant to the sanitizer treatment. Avoiding mechanical injuries to fresh fruits during and after harvest would reduce the chance of pathogen attachment and contamination on green pepper and fruits of similar nature.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2004

Antioxidant efficacy of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and piperine in rats with high fat diet induced oxidative stress.

The present study was aimed to explore the effect of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) on tissue lipid peroxidation, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in rats fed a high-fat diet. Thirty male Wistar rats (95-115 g) were divided into 5 groups. They were fed standard pellet diet, high-fat diet (20% coconut oil, 2% cholesterol and 0.125% bile salts), high-fat diet plus black pepper (0.25 g or 0.5 g/kg body weight), high-fat diet plus piperine (0.02 g/kg body weight) for a period of 10 weeks. Significantly elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD) and significantly lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver, heart, kidney, intestine and aorta were observed in rats fed the high fat diet as compared to the control rats. Simultaneous supplementation with black pepper or piperine lowered TBARS and CD levels and maintained SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and GSH levels to near those of control rats. The data indicate that supplementation with black pepper or the active principle of black pepper, piperine, can reduce high-fat diet induced oxidative stress to the cells.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2000

DNA repair effect of traditional sweet pepper Fushimi-togarashi: seen in suppression of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer in human fibroblast.

The aqueous fraction of Fushimi sweet pepper increased the repair effect of the solvent control against UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in human fibroblast to 150%, but ordinary sweet pepper did not have a statistically significant effect. When Fushimi sweet pepper was boiled, the activity of the aqueous fraction was elevated to 209% of the control (p<0.05), while that of the grilled state was decreased to 125% of the control. The repair activity of a dialyzate (MW<12,000) of the aqueous fraction from Fushimi sweet pepper showed 191% of the control (p<0.05). The dialyzate was contained 1.9% in the weight of the fresh fruit body of Fushimi sweet pepper, and the activity can be stable in its boiling state, and it might be therefore considered to be the worthy source for expecting the DNA repair activity in human diet.

Antimutagenic Agents↗

PubMed1982

Pepper sauce toxicity.

An acute oral LD50 of Pepper Sauce in male white Sprague-Dawley rats was determined to be 23.58 ml/kg with upper and lower limits of 29.75 and 18.70 ml/kg, respectively, at the 0.95 confidence level. In the female rats, the LD50 was determined to be 19.52 ml/kg with upper and lower limits of 24.35 and 15.64 ml/kg, respectively, at the 0.95 confidence level. This sex variation was found to be insignificant. A subchronic oral toxicity evaluation of Pepper Sauce in male and female white Sprague-Dawley rats revealed no gross or microscopic pathological changes in the animals nor were any significant biochemical changes noted. The growth rates remained within normal range. Pepper Sauce was shown to be a mild skin irritant and a moderate to severe eye irritant in New Zealand albino rabbits; vinegar, an ingredient of Pepper Sauce, was shown to contribute significantly to the ocular toxicity. The Pepper Sauce did not induce terata in Sprague-Dawley rats nor skin sensitization in guinea pigs.

Acetates↗

PubMed2001

Reduction of listeria monocytogenes on green peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) by gaseous and aqueous chlorine dioxide and water washing and its growth at 7 degrees C.

Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A on uninjured and injured surfaces of green peppers after 0.3- and 3-mg/ liter gaseous and aqueous ClO2 treatment and water washing for 10 min at 20 degrees C was studied. Growth of the L. monocytogenes untreated or treated with 0.6 mg/liter ClO2 gas for 30 min at 20 degrees C on green peppers also was investigated. A membrane-surface-plating method was used for resuscitation and enumeration of L monocytogenes treated with ClO2. The bacterial viability on pepper surfaces was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Live and dead cells of L. monocytogenes were labeled with a fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibody and propidium iodide, respectively. More than 6 log CFU/5 g L. monocytogenes on uninjured surfaces and about 3.5 log CFU/5 g on injured surfaces were inactivated by both 3-mg/liter and 0.6-mg/liter ClO2 gas treatments. The 3-mg/liter aqueous ClO2 treatment achieved 3.7- and 0.4-log reductions on uninjured and injured surfaces, respectively; whereas, water washing alone showed 1.4- and 0.4-log reductions, respectively. ClO2 gas treatment was the most effective in reducing L. monocytogenes on both uninjured and injured green pepper surfaces, when compared with aqueous ClO2 treatment and water washing. The significant difference (P < 0.05) between log reductions on uninjured and injured surfaces and the results from CLSM analysis suggested that injured surfaces protected more bacteria from sanitation treatments than did uninjured surfaces. Not only could L. monocytogenes grow on green pepper surfaces at 7 degrees C, bacteria that survived the 0.6-mg/liter ClO2 gas treatment also could grow.

Capsicum↗

PubMed2001

A hot pepper cDNA encoding a pathogenesis-related protein 4 is induced during the resistance response to tobacco mosaic virus.

Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants exhibit a hypersensitive response (HR) against infection by many tobamoviruses. A clone (CaPR-4) encoding a putative pathogenesis-related protein 4 was isolated by differential screening of a cDNA library prepared from resistant pepper plant leaves inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) pathotype P0. The predicted amino acid sequence of CaPR-4 is very similar to those of other plant PR-4s. Southern blot analysis showed that small gene families of PR-4-related sequences were present in the pepper genome. Hot pepper cultivar Bugang, resistant to TMV-P0 and susceptible to TMV-P1.2, induced CaPR-4 expression by pathotype P0 inoculation in inoculated and systemic leaves, but not by pathotype P1.2. Effects of exogenously applied abiotic elicitors upon the CaPR-4 expression were also examined. The expression of the CaPR-4 gene was stimulated by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), ethephon and wounding treatment. However, application of salicylic acid (SA) did not trigger the expression. Evidence is emerging that jasmonic acid and ethylene play key roles in the SA-independent pathways of plant-pathogen interaction. Taken together, these results suggest that the CaPR-4 gene is one of the defense-related genes conferring resistance on pepper plants by the SA-independent pathway and the cross-talk between signaling compounds, jasmonic acid and ethylene could have a great regulatory potential in a plant's defense against TMV.

Acetates↗

PubMed2001

Isolation of cDNA clones differentially accumulated in the placenta of pungent pepper by suppression subtractive hybridization.

Capsaicinoids responsible for pungency of chili pepper are synthesized exclusively in the placenta tissue of the fruit. As an elementary step in the molecular genetics study of capsaicinoid biosynthesis, a cDNA library was constructed from the placenta of a highly pungent pepper, Capsicum chinense cv. Habanero using the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Thirty-nine cDNA clones from about 400 subtracted clones were selected through dot blot analysis and according to their nucleotides sequence. Sequence information of the chosen clones was evaluated by comparing it with DNA and protein databases. Results showed that the cDNA clones could be divided into 4 groups; cDNAs with similarities in genes encoding metabolic enzymes including acyl transferase and fatty acid alcohol oxidase (Group I), putative cell wall proteins (Group II), biotic and abiotic stress-inducible proteins (Group III), and lastly, cDNAs with no similarity (Group IV). Northern blot analysis was performed to confirm that these clones are differentially expressed in pungent pepper. The results revealed that all cDNA clones were differentially expressed in pungent pepper. In addition, the cDNA clones of Groups I and IV were differentially or preferentially expressed in the placenta of pungent pepper.

Blotting, Northern↗

PubMed2001

Construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome library from chili pepper.

A library of the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) that consisted of a total of 78,336 clones with an average insert size of 80 kb was constructed from Capsicum annuum, 'CM334', which is resistant to Phytophthora capsici and PVY. Based on a haploid genome size of pepper of 2,702 Mbp/C, the BAC library was estimated to contain approximately three genome equivalents and represented at least 90% of the pepper genome. In order to determine the percentage of BAC clones that contained mitochondrial DNAs, the entire library was screened with probes of chili pepper mitochondrial DNAs. The result showed that only twenty-five clones, which is 0.03% of the total BAC clones, were hybridized to mitochondrial gene probes. This indicates that the library is comprised predominantly of the nuclear sequences. The library was also tested for isolating specific clones by screening with a few known genes from the chili pepper, phytoene synthase gene, and two MADS genes--HpMADS1 and HpMADS3. The result showed that the three clones for phytoene synthase and the two clones for each MADS gene were positively hybridized to the specific probes. This indicates that the library is highly reliable and represents a resource for initiating map-based cloning and contig mapping in chili pepper.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

PubMed2001

Induction of a pepper cDNA encoding SAR8.2 protein during the resistance response to tobacco mosaic virus.

A cDNA library was constructed with mRNA extracted from TMV resistant hot pepper plants 24 and 48 h after inoculation by TMV. The library was screened differentially with radio-labeled cDNA synthesized with mRNA from the leaves of either TMV-inoculated or mock-inoculated hot pepper plants. CaSAR8.2 clone was one of the clones isolated by this differential screening. The predicted amino acid sequence of CaSAR8.2 has a homology of 52% similarity to that of tobacco SAR8.2 genes. Southern blot analysis showed that a multigene family of CaSAR8.2 was present in the hot pepper genome. Transcripts homologous to CaSAR8.2 accumulated abundantly in the leaves and the flowers, but little in other tissues. CaSAR8.2 gene expression was induced by avirulent pathotype TMV-P0 inoculation but not by virulent TMV-P1.2 inoculation. Effects of exogenously applied abiotic elicitors on CaSAR8.2 expression were also examined. Salicylic acid and ethephon treatments caused a rapid accumulation of CaSAR8.2 transcripts in pepper leaves and methyl jasmonate treatment slightly induced the expression of CaSAR8.2. A strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv) that contains an avirulence gene avrBs2, was infiltrated into the leaves of a pepper cultivar containing the Bs2 resistance gene. A marked induction of CaSAR8.2 gene expression was observed in Xcv-infiltrated leaves. These results suggest possible roles of CaSAR8.2 as pathogenesis-related protein against varieties of pathogens including virus and bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Visualization and LC/MS analysis of colorless pepper sprays.

Pepper sprays are used in a variety of circumstances, including criminal activity, self-defense, and law enforcement. As such, the presence or absence of pepper sprays on evidentiary materials is often important when determining the facts of an incident. When no visible stains are present on evidentiary materials, ascertaining the presence or absence of pepper spray can be a challenge to the forensic analyst. A method, based on a chemical derivatization of capsaicinoids using a diazonium salt, has been developed for the visualization of colorless, ultraviolet (UV) activated fluorescent dye-free pepper sprays on textiles. Identification of both the capsaicinoids and their derivatives is confirmed via extraction of the derivatized capsaicinoids followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis. LC/MS analysis is conducted using a YMC Basic column and elution of the compounds using a gradient of 10 mM ammonium formate, pH 4.2 and methanol at 0.35 mL/min. Full-scan MS data are collected for the full 6.5 min LC analysis. Although this method is qualitative in nature, visual detection of as little as 50 microL of a 0.2% pepper spray (equivalent to approximately 0.1 mg) on a variety of garments is possible, and more than adequate signal-to-noise is obtained for reconstructed ion chromatograms on LC/MS analysis at these levels.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2005

Gibberellins-producing rhizobacteria increase endogenous gibberellins content and promote growth of red peppers.

The growth of red pepper plants was enhanced by treatment with the rhizobacterium, Bacillus cereus MJ-1. Red pepper shoots showed a 1.38-fold increase in fresh weight (fw) and roots showed a 1.28-fold fw gain. This plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) has been reported to produce gibberellins (GAs). Other GAs-producing rhizobacteria, Bacillus macroides CJ-29 and Bacillus pumilus CJ-69, also enhanced the fw of the plants. They were less effective than B. cereus MJ-1, though. The endogenous GAs content of pepper shoots inoculated with MJ-1 was also higher than in shoots inoculated with CJ-29 or CJ-69. When inoculated with MJ-1, bacterial colonization rate of the roots was higher than that of roots inoculated with CJ-29 or CJ-69. These results support the idea that the plant growth-promoting effect of the bacteria also positively related with the efficiency of root colonization by the bacteria. In addition, we identified the major endogenous GAs of the red pepper as originating from both the early C-13 hydroxylation and the early non C-13 hydroxylation pathways, with the latter being the predominant pathway of GA biosynthesis in red pepper shoots.

Bacillus↗

PubMed2006

[An analysis of sweet pepper seeds with space flight mutagenesis by FTIR].

The first-time application of FTIR to analyzing and comparing two sweet pepper seeds lines of space mutation and two sweet pepper seeds lines bred in system approaches as well as their spectra is presented. The IR spectrum of sweet pepper seeds lines is mainly composed of the band of adsorption of protein and that of carbohydrates. The absorbance of the two sweet pepper seeds lines of space mutation at 2854, 1652, 1542 and 1160-1062 cm(-1) was enhanced. The peak near 2854 cm(-1) is attributable to the stretching vibration of CH2--, The dominating bands near 1652 and 1542 cm(-1) were assigned to amide I and amide II respectively. The absorbance at 1160 cm(-1) is attributable to the stretching vibration of C--O on the structure of carbohydrates. The major components and the structures remained intact, indicating that the space environment can increase carbohydrates and protein content of sweet pepper seeds lines.

Capsicum↗

PubMed1986

Homicidal asphyxia by pepper aspiration.

As punishment for lying, the foster mother of a five-year-old white male poured pepper into his throat. He immediately became dyspneic, then apneic, and was pronounced dead about 1 h later. At autopsy, the main stem and several smaller bronchi were occluded with pepper. Mechanisms of asphyxia by pepper include mechanical obstruction of the tracheobronchial tree and mucosal edema caused by the irritant effect of volatile oils in pepper. This rare circumstance represents the second reported fatal case of pepper aspiration and the third reported case overall.

Airway Obstruction↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Beliefs about chili pepper consumption and health in Mexico City].

Eating chili peppers is a cultural tradition in Mexico. Controversial characteristics have been empirically associated to chili pepper consumption and human health. In this paper, the beliefs about the health impacts of chili pepper consumption in two independent groups of Mexico City residents are described. The results confirm, on the one hand, that there is a wide variety of health benefits and damages associated with chili pepper consumption, but on the other hand, that the levels of chili pepper consumption are not related to beliefs about its human health impact.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

The journey of fluxapyroxad, mandipropamid and mefentrifluconazole residues in two morphologically distinct chilli peppers: A comprehensive risk assessment from field to processing.

Understanding the residue fate of novel pesticides in crops is crucial for ensuring their safe application and safeguarding public health. This study examined the dissipation, processing factors (PFs), and risk assessment of fluxapyroxad, mandipropamid, and mefentrifluconazole in two morphologically distinct varieties of chilli peppers from field to processing. The half-lives of the three pesticides ranged from 5.42 to 10.05 days, following first-order kinetics. The initial residues were higher in Chaotian chilli peppers (CCP) than in long green chilli peppers (GCP). However, dissipation occurred more rapidly in CCP. Washing notably reduced the residues (PF: 0.60-0.89), whereas sun drying and oven drying concentrated them (PF: 1.92-3.74), with oven drying leading to greater concentrations. Both chronic and acute dietary risk assessments suggested acceptable risk levels for the general population. This study offers reliable guidance for the rational application of these three pesticides in chilli pepper cultivation.

Capsicum↗

PubMed2026

Light regulates capsaicinoid biosynthesis via the CaHY5-CaBBX2-CaACS8 module in pepper.

Capsaicinoids are a class of unique alkaloids that confer the pungent taste to pepper fruits. However, it remains largely unknown how light regulates the biosynthesis of capsaicinoids. We conducted a metabolic analysis on light- and dark-adapted pepper fruits. The results showed that dark-adapted pepper fruits had lower capsaicinoid contents and correspondingly downregulated transcription of capsaicinoid biosynthetic genes (CBGs), indicating that light plays a crucial role in capsaicinoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, silencing of CaHY5, a pivotal transcription factor gene in the light signaling pathway, decreased the content of capsaicinoid and suppressed the expression of CBGs, whereas transient overexpression of CaHY5 generated exactly opposite results. CaHY5 can bind to the G-box motif in the promoters of CaBBX2 and CaACS8, thereby enhancing their transcriptional levels. The activated CaBBX2 then binds to the T/G-box in the CaACS8 promoter to stimulate its expression. CaBBX2 or CaACS8 silencing led to decreased levels of capsaicinoids, while their transient overexpression produced increased capsaicinoid contents. Collectively, our results indicated that the light-activated CaHY5-CaBBX2-CaACS8 regulatory module plays a pivotal role in capsaicinoid biosynthesis. These findings provide new insights into the influence of light on capsaicinoid biosynthesis and potential targets for activation of this biosynthetic pathway in pepper.

Capsicum↗

PubMed2006

A differentially expressed proteomic analysis in placental tissues in relation to pungency during the pepper fruit development.

Using proteomic analysis including 2-DE, image analysis, and protein identification with LC-MS/MS, an investigation aimed at a better understanding of the differentially expressed proteins and/or gene products was carried out with total cell extracts from placental tissues in nonpungent (Capsicum annuum cv. Saeng-Ryeog #213) and pungent peppers (C. annuum cv. Saeng-Ryeog #211). Mobilization of the most abundant proteins, which were on the gels of pH ranges of 4-7, 4.5-5.5, 5.5-6.7, and 6-9, and showed very similar profiles in the two tissues, revealing approximately 2600 protein spots consisting of 1200 on pH 4-7, 600 on 4.5-5.5, 550 on 5.5-6.7, 250 on 6-9. Of these, 37 protein spots, which appeared in only pungent tissues but not in nonpungent tissues or markedly increased in their staining intensities on the gels from pungent tissue, were selected, excised, in-gel trypsin digested, and analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Peptide MS/MS data were searched against publicly available protein and EST databases, and 22 proteins were identified. Based on this result, we tested and compared the differential expression during fruit development on the 2-DE gels with total cell extracts from placental tissues of pungent and nonpungent peppers at an interval of 10 days from 10 to 40 days after flowering. In addition, this differential protein expression was further confirmed for some subsets of candidates by Northern-blot analysis with RNA samples from placental tissues harvested from each pepper fruit at the same sampling intervals. In this study, the physiological implications, revealed from the experimental data in the levels of proteome and transcripts, are discussed in the context of a complex biosynthesis network of capsaicinoids in pepper cells responsive to pungency.

Amino Acid Sequence↗