Color for Life: Biosynthesis and Distribution of Phenolic Compounds in Pepper ( Capsicum annuum )

Virgínia Carvalho Lemos, Julia Jessica Reimer and Alexandra Wormit
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Virgínia Carvalho Lemos: Institute of Biology 1, Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Julia Jessica Reimer: Institute of Biology 1, Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Alexandra Wormit: Institute of Biology 1, Botany and Molecular Genetics, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 4, 1-29

Abstract: Fruits and vegetables are an important supplier of biological active substances, such as vitamins and secondary metabolites (SM) for human nutrition, but also for further industrial applications. Pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) is grown and consumed all over the world as a fresh vegetable or dried as a spice. It is also used as a coloring agent, as well for medical purposes. Pepper fruits are considered as an attractive source of health-related compounds, but other organs like the leaves and stem also contain considerable amounts of antioxidants, e.g., phenolic compounds. This indicates potential for valorization of residual biomass from horticultural production by using innovative bioeconomic concepts. Herein, we present an overview about the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, with a special focus on flavonoids and their regulation in pepper, the current knowledge of amounts and distribution of these valuable substances, as well as possible strategies for: (1) increasing flavonoid contents in pepper, (2) improving the nutritional value of fruits, and (3) new concepts for utilization of residual biomass from horticultural production.

Keywords: secondary metabolites; phenolic compounds; biosynthesis; flavonoids; human nutrition; industrial application; Capsicum annuum; pepper (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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