Impact of Drip Irrigation with Recycled Wastewater on Aromatic Compound Composition in Capia Pepper ( Capsicum annum L.)

Havva Eylem Polat (), Ozan Zambi, Yalçın Güçer and Alper Serdar Anli
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Havva Eylem Polat: Agricultural Structures and Irrigation Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, Ankara 06110, Türkiye
Ozan Zambi: Division of Horticulture, Kalecik Vocational School, Ankara University, Ankara 06780, Türkiye
Yalçın Güçer: Beypazarı Vocational School, Ankara University, Ankara 06730, Türkiye
Alper Serdar Anli: Agricultural Structures and Irrigation Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ankara University, Ankara 06110, Türkiye

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: In recent years, treating and reusing polluted water for agricultural irrigation has become essential to ensuring water and food sustainability. In addition to the factors affecting human health in vegetables and fruits irrigated with treated wastewater, factors affecting consumer preferences, such as flavor and phenolic compounds, should also be examined. This study investigates the effect of treated wastewater irrigation on the aromatic compounds and phenolic composition of capia pepper, which holds a significant position and is extensively used in various food products in the food industry. Drip irrigation with treated and untreated wastewater from the Kalecik Wastewater Treatment Plant was applied to two pepper varieties in the Kalecik district of Ankara, Türkiye. This research found that wastewater irrigation impacted certain aroma components, including para-dichlorobenzene, alpha-cubebene, hexanoate, alpha-farnesene, limonene, isoamyl butyrate, squalene, and alpha-copaene, which contribute to the distinct aroma and fragrance of capia peppers. Total phenolic content, pH, and soluble solids were found to be high in peppers irrigated with wastewater, and it was observed that these parameters increased as the treatment levels of the wastewater decreased. The highest results were obtained in capia peppers irrigated with wastewater. Results indicate that heavy metal levels in peppers align with permissible limits, confirming the usability of both water sources. In the face of global water scarcity and the challenge of feeding an ever-growing population, studies like this offer valuable insights into sustainable and well-informed agricultural practices.

Keywords: capia pepper; irrigation; sustainable agriculture; volatile aromatic compounds; phenols; wastewater; water scarcity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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