Augmentation of capsaicin content in callus cultures of bird's eye chilly (capsicum frutescens l.) using sodium nitroprusside

Baikady Natasha Ramakant, Saini Akshita, S. Narasimhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Capsicum is one of the most celebrated herb cultivated across the world. Capsicum frutescens is the well known species and is known for several secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, vitamins and foliates. The main active principle of the plant is the alkaloid capsaicin (8- methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide). Among the traditional varieties available in India, birds eye chilli is distinct because of high disease resistance, high pungency and yield. The current research work is aimed at enhancing the capsaicin accumulation in cultured tissues using sodium nitroprusside as an elicitor. Callus cultures were raised from different plant parts such as stem, leaf, fruits and flower. Explants were incubated for 12 h photoperiod under 28+ 1OC. Analysis of capsaicin was performed by TLC and HPLC. Sodium nitroprusside was found to be most effective for the synthesis and accumulation of capsaicin. The total yield of capsaicin obtained varied from 0.05 to 0.2 % w/w. The yield of capsaicin from the fruits of the greenhouse-grown plant was 0.04% w/w. Capsaicin is a highly valued and medicinally potent natural product exhibiting several properties. Therefore, the results of the present investigation are impressive towards further research in developing elite cell lines, bioreactor systems, and understanding the biosynthetic pathway of capsaicin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-107
Number of pages4
JournalResearch Journal of Biotechnology
Volume15
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - 10-2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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