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

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.