Abstract Detail

Developmental and Structural Section

Beck , Samantha Rae [1], Todorov, Toma [1].

Micropropagation of Capsicum annuum.  .

The genus Capsicum is a group of annual pepper plants from the Solanaceae family, native to Mexico, Central and South America, and the West Indies; however, it is widely cultivated and commercialized around the world. Capsicum annuum is an important food crop with important medicinal properties. Capsicum produces Capsaicin, a chemical that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating pain; it has been found to have antioxidant properties that can help fight the carcinogen nitrosamine and has shown anti-tumor activity in colon cancer studies. C. annuum has also been used in native pharmacopeia against different types of ailments including: upset stomach, headaches, shingles, diarrhea, sore throat, motion sickness, and poor digestion. Each of the varieties analyzed have different Scoville units (hotness due to Capsaicin) as follows: Jalapeno up to 9,000 units, Cayenne up to 50,000 units and Thai Ornamental up to 100,000 units. In-vitro culture is a great alternative to overcome the problems due to the inconsistencies of secondary metabolite production in field-grown plants that have pharmacological value. In addition, culture suspension can result in the production of novel secondary metabolites or increase the secondary metabolites of interest, in this case Capsaicin. Micropropagation of plants is very important for breeding programs of economically important plants such as C. annuum. The purpose of this research is to establish a reliable micropropagation protocol for three different varieties of C. annuum: Cayenne, Jalapeño, and Thai. Their ability to respond to varying concentrations of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), 2,4 –Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃) will be tested to induce embryogenesis and/or organogenesis. Preliminary findings showed that IAA and AgNO₃ had no effect on callus growth. The effect of 2, 4-D was evaluated and a statistical analysis of the data showed that a concentration of 5µM BAP and 2.5µM 2, 4-D had the most beneficial effect on callus growth. The effect of the aqueous fruit extract on the callus growth will be presented once the data has been analyzed. This research will provide valuable information for the micropropagation of these economically important varieties.

1 - Utah Valley University, Biology, 800 W University Pkwy, Orem, UT, 84058, USA

Keywords:
micropropagation
capsicum annuum
capsaicin
embryogenesis.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PDS011
Abstract ID:913
Candidate for Awards:Developmental and Structural Section best poster