Altered capsaicin levels in domesticated chili pepper varieties affect the interaction between a generalist herbivore and its ectoparasitoid

AbstractPlant domestication has commonly reduced levels of secondary metabolites known to confer resistance against insects. Chili pepper is a special case because the fruits of different varieties have been selected for lower and higher levels of capsaicin, the main compound associated with defence. This may have important consequences for insect herbivores and their natural enemies. Despite the widespread consumption of chili peppers worldwide, the effects of capsaicin on insects are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of capsaicin on a generalist herbivore, Spodoptera latifascia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its ectoparasitoid, Euplectrus platyhypenae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Using chili varieties with three pungency levels: non-pungent (Padron), mild (Cayenne) and highly pungent (Habanero), as well as artificial diets spiked with three different levels of synthetic capsaicin, we determined whether higher capsaicin levels negatively affect the performance of these insects. Overall, capsaicin had a negative effect on both herbivore and parasitoid performance, particularly at high concentrations. Caterpillars reared on highly pungent fruits and high-capsaicin diet had longer development time, reduced pupation success, lower adult emergence, but also lower parasitism rates than caterpillars reared on mild or non-capsaicin treatments. In addition, we found that the caterpillars were capable of sequestering capsaicinoids in their haemolymph when fed on the high pungent variety with consequences for parasitoids’ performance and oviposition decisions. These results increase our understanding of the role of capsaicin as a chemical defence against insects and its potential implications for pest management.

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Altered Capsaicin Levels in Domesticated Chili Pepper Varieties Affect the Interaction Between a Generalist Herbivore and Its Ectoparasitoid

10.21203/rs.3.rs-268361/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yosra Chabaane ◽

Carla Cristina Marques Arce ◽

Gaetan Glauser ◽

Betty Benrey

Keyword(s):

Adult Emergence ◽

Chili Pepper ◽

Plant Domestication ◽

Generalist Herbivore ◽

Main Compound ◽

Parasitism Rates ◽

Negative Effect ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Chili Peppers

Abstract Plant domestication has commonly reduced levels of secondary metabolites known to confer resistance against insects. Chili pepper is a special case because the fruits of different varieties have been selected for lower and higher levels of capsaicin, the main compound associated with defense. This may have important consequences for insect herbivores and their natural enemies. Despite the widespread consumption of chili peppers worldwide, the effects of capsaicin on insects are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effect of capsaicin on a generalist herbivore, Spodoptora latifascia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its ectoparasitoid, Euplectrus platyhypenae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Using chili varieties with three pungency levels: non-pungent (Padron), mild (Cayenne) and highly pungent (Habanero), as well as artificial diets spiked with three different levels of synthetic capsaicin, we determined if higher capsaicin levels negatively affect the performance of these insects.Overall, capsaicin had a negative effect on both herbivore and parasitoid performance, particularly at high concentrations. Caterpillars reared on highly pungent fruits and high-capsaicin diet had longer development time, reduced pupation success, lower adult emergence, but also lower parasitism rates than caterpillars reared on mild or non-capsaicin treatments. In addition, we found that the caterpillars were capable of sequestering capsaicinoids in their haemolymph when fed on the high pungent variety with consequences for parasitoids’ performance and oviposition decisions. These results increase our understanding of the role of capsaicin as a chemical defense against insects and its potential implications for pest management.

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Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Myrtaceae Essential Oils Rich in Terpenoids From Brazil

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x21996156 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 1934578X2199615

Author(s):

Lucas Botelho Jerônimo ◽

Jamile S. da Costa ◽

Laine C. Pinto ◽

Raquel C. Montenegro ◽

William N. Setzer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Human Cancer ◽

Psidium Guajava ◽

Cytotoxic Activities ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Main Compound ◽

Human Cancer Cells ◽

High Concentrations

This work analyzed the chemical compositions and evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of essential oils (EO) of Eugenia patrisii (Epat), Eugenia stipitata (Esti), Myrcia splendens (Mspl), Myrcia sylvatica (Msyl), Psidium guajava (Pgua), and Psidium guineense (Pgui-1 and Pgui-2) from the Brazilian Amazon. Sesquiterpenoids were found in high concentrations in the oils of E. patrisii and M. splendens, which were rich in E-caryophyllene (32.0% and 45.8%); E. stipitata and M. sylvatica, which displayed germacrene D (11.8%) and germacrene B (24.5%); and P. guajava that showed epi-β-bisabolol (16.1%) as the main compound. However, P. guineense samples (Pgui-1 and Pgui-2) were rich in monoterpenoids such as limonene (Pgui-1: 30.2%; Pgui-2 30.4%) and α-pinene (Pgui-1: 22.5%; Pgui-2: 17.7%). The samples showed a weak and moderate antioxidant activities in the DPPH assay, displaying inhibition rates from 11.5% to 38.6% (at 10 mg/mL). All samples were cytotoxic against human cancer cells by the MTT method. Epat oil showed higher activity against melanoma (SKMEL-19, IC505.8 µg/mL), gastric (AGP01, IC503.2 µg/mL), and colon (HCT116, IC506.7 µg/mL). Meanwhile, the samples Pgua and Pgui were more active against breast cancer cells (MCF7, IC5012.4 µg/mL and 11.6 µg/mL, respectively).

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The Association of Maternal Thyroid Autoimmunity During Pregnancy With Child IQ

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2018-00743 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 103 (10) ◽

pp. 3729-3736 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Arash Derakhshan ◽

Tim I M Korevaar ◽

Peter N Taylor ◽

Deborah Levie ◽

Monica Guxens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Autoimmunity ◽

Urinary Iodine ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Free T4 ◽

Parents And Children ◽

Negative Effect ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Maternal Thyroid ◽

Avon Longitudinal Study

Abstract Context Thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity is a major risk factor for gestational thyroid dysfunction. During the first 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, high concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulate the thyroid to ensure adequate thyroid hormone availability for the developing fetus. However, TPOAb-positive women have an impaired thyroidal response to hCG stimulation. Objective To study the association of maternal TPOAb positivity during pregnancy with child IQ. Design, Setting, and Participants This study was embedded in two prospective birth cohorts: Generation R (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; United Kingdom). Mother-child pairs with available data on early pregnancy TPOAb (≤18 weeks of gestation) and offspring IQ were included (n = 3637 for Generation R and n = 2396 for ALSPAC). Main Outcome Measures Child IQ at 5 to 10 years of age. Results In Generation R, TPOAb positivity was associated with a 2.0 ± 0.9-point lower mean child IQ (P = 0.03). Sensitivity analyses showed negative effect estimates already from TPOAb concentrations considerably lower than currently used manufacturer cutoffs. In ALSPAC, neither TPOAb positivity nor TPOAb concentrations below manufacturer cutoffs were associated with child IQ (TPOAb positivity: 0.7 ± 1.0; P = 0.45). Adjustment for maternal TSH or free T4 concentrations or urinary iodine/creatinine ratio did not change the results. Conclusion TPOAb positivity during pregnancy was associated with lower child IQ in Generation R but not in ALSPAC. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether differences between the study populations, such as maternal iodine status, could be the underlying cause for these differences.

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The morphology of Cannabis sativa L. Achenes

10.32920/ryerson.14668104.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steve Govinda Udai Naraine

Keyword(s):

Cannabis Sativa ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Life History Strategies ◽

Plant Domestication ◽

Phenotypic Differences ◽

Evolution Of Life ◽

Significant Divergence ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Herbarium Collections

Cannabis sativa L. has been domesticated for fibre, oilseed, and marijuana; it also occurs as ruderal plants. “Marijuana” refers to plants selected for high concentrations of the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while “hemp” refers to plants low in concentration of THC and which are domesticated for either stem fibre or oilseed. In my first chapter I review the botany of cannabis, taxonomy and origins, ethnobotany, and crop ferality. In my second chapter, I performed a study where achenes (“seeds”) from herbarium collections representative of these classes of C. sativa were assessed for variation in morphological characters and pericarp resistance to fracture. Multivariate analysis of the data revealed significant divergence among the groups. In contrast to ruderal plants, domesticated plants (hemp or marijuana) possessed achenes that are significantly longer, heavier, covered with a less adherent perianth, and lacking a pronounced basal attenuation. These characteristics reflect traits that are advantageous in domesticated plants, and are consistent with the "domestication syndrome”. Marijuana achenes, in comparison with hemp achenes, are shorter and darker. Achenes of fibre cultivars are larger than the achenes of oilseed cultivars. Achenes of dioecious oilseed cultivars are larger than the achenes of monoecious oilseed cultivars. We propose several mechanisms by which this phenotypic divergence may have occurred, including potential differences in outcrossing rate and the evolution of life history strategies among C. sativa groups that deserve further exploration. While only one species of Cannabis merits recognition, we postulate these phenotypic differences in C. sativa are a result of domestication for different purposes. In my final chapter I discuss the limitations and future studies. This work contributes a more complete understanding of cannabis morphology to the greater body of literature on plant domestication.

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The role of neem leaves as organic pesticides in chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens)

Nusantara Bioscience ◽

10.13057/nusbiosci/n100408 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 246-250 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SOPIALENA SOPIALENA ◽

SURYA SILA ◽

ROSFIANSYAH ROSFIANSYAH ◽

JULI NURDIANA

Keyword(s):

Insect Pests ◽

Block Design ◽

Chili Pepper ◽

Fruit Rot ◽

Root Extract ◽

Capsicum Frutescens ◽

Neem Leaves ◽

Chili Peppers ◽

Organic Pesticides

Sopialena, Sila S, Rosfiansyah, Nurdiana J. 2018. The role of neem leaves as organic pesticides in chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens). Nusantara Bioscience 10: 246-250. The agricultural crops and horticultural plants are always under constant assault caused by diseases, insect pests, viruses, and other pathogens which may substantially reduce yield. Chili Pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is a popular horticultural plant of the Solanaceae family in Indonesia. Some serious diseases widely found in chili peppers, are anthracnose (Colletotrichum capsici), leaf spot (Cercospora capsici) and fruit rot (Phytophthora capsici). To manage the potential problems, this study is aimed to provide an explanatory knowledge of the use of plant-based pesticide to control the diseases in chili peppers. The information is meant to fill the knowledge gaps in the use of plant-based pesticide to control the chili diseases. The use of nonchemical pesticide benefits not only the environment but also as an organic strategy for disease management. This research used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) categorized into four groups and six different treatments. The organic pesticides were prepared from the extract of neem leaves, soursop leaves, lemongrass extract, tuba root extract, and kenikir/Cosmos caudatus extract). The result indicates that neem leaves are the most effective organic pesticides to control the chili pepper disease in Indonesia.

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The morphology of Cannabis sativa L. Achenes

10.32920/ryerson.14668104 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steve Govinda Udai Naraine

Keyword(s):

Cannabis Sativa ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Life History Strategies ◽

Plant Domestication ◽

Phenotypic Differences ◽

Evolution Of Life ◽

Significant Divergence ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Herbarium Collections

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Unique and highly specific cyanogenic glycoside localization in stigmatic cells and pollen in the genus Lomatia (Proteaceae)

Annals of Botany ◽

10.1093/aob/mcaa038 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 126 (3) ◽

pp. 387-400

Author(s):

Edita Ritmejerytė ◽

Berin A Boughton ◽

Michael J Bayly ◽

Rebecca E Miller

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry Imaging ◽

Chemical Defence ◽

Ionization Mass ◽

Congeneric Species ◽

Substantial Variation ◽

Plant Parts ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Strategic Allocation ◽

Defence Strategies ◽

Constitutive Defence

Abstract Background and Aims Floral chemical defence strategies remain understudied despite the significance of flowers to plant fitness, and the fact that many flowers contain secondary metabolites that confer resistance to herbivores. Optimal defence and apparency theories predict that the most apparent plant parts and/or those most important to fitness should be most defended. To test whether within-flower distributions of chemical defence are consistent with these theories we used cyanogenic glycosides (CNglycs), which are constitutive defence metabolites that deter herbivores by releasing hydrogen cyanide upon hydrolysis. Methods We used cyanogenic florets of the genus Lomatia to investigate at what scale there may be strategic allocation of CNglycs in flowers, what their localization reveals about function, and whether levels of floral CNglycs differ between eight congeneric species across a climatic gradient. Within-flower distributions of CNglycs during development were quantified, CNglycs were identified and their localization was visualized in cryosectioned florets using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). Key Results Florets of all congeneric species studied were cyanogenic, and concentrations differed between species. Within florets there was substantial variation in CNglyc concentrations, with extremely high concentrations (up to 14.6 mg CN g−1 d. wt) in pollen and loose, specialized surface cells on the pollen presenter, among the highest concentrations reported in plant tissues. Two tyrosine-derived CNglycs, the monoglycoside dhurrin and diglycoside proteacin, were identified. MALDI-MSI revealed their varying ratios in different floral tissues; proteacin was primarily localized to anthers and ovules, and dhurrin to specialized cells on the pollen presenter. The mix of transient specialized cells and pollen of L. fraxinifolia was ~11 % dhurrin and ~1.1 % proteacin by mass. Conclusions Tissue-specific distributions of two CNglycs and substantial variation in their concentrations within florets suggests their allocation is under strong selection. Localized, high CNglyc concentrations in transient cells challenge the predictions of defence theories, and highlight the importance of fine-scale metabolite visualization, and the need for further investigation into the ecological and metabolic roles of CNglycs in floral tissues.

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Generation of BSA-capsaicin Nanoparticles and Their Hormesis Effect on the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Yeast

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24152800 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (15) ◽

pp. 2800 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alejandro Sánchez-Arreguin ◽

Ramón Carriles ◽

Neftalí Ochoa-Alejo ◽

Mercedes G. López ◽

Lino Sánchez-Segura

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Rhodotorula Mucilaginosa ◽

Synthesis Of Nanoparticles ◽

Dose Concentration ◽

Capsicum Spp ◽

Pathogen Control ◽

Uptake Process ◽

Hormesis Effect ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Chili Peppers

Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in pungent chili peppers (Capsicum spp.). In biotechnology, capsaicin has been proposed as a pathogen control; however, its low solubility in water and high instability limits its uses. The aim of this work was to study the effect of high concentrations of capsaicin on the synthesis of nanoparticles and to evaluate their inhibitory effect on the growth of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa yeast. Bovine serum albumin (BSA)-capsaicin nanoparticles were formulated at 0, 16.2, 32.5, 48.7 and 65.0 µg of capsaicin per mg of BSA. Nanoparticle properties were evaluated and they were added to cultures of R. mucilaginosa to quantify their effect on cell viability. We found that increased capsaicin levels caused several changes to the physicochemical parameters, probably due to changes in the hydrophobicity sites of the albumin during the nanostructuration. The administration of nanoparticles to cultures of R. mucilaginosa produced a maximal viability with nanoparticles at 16.2 µg/mg; on the contrary, nanoparticles at 65.0 µg/mg caused maximal cell death. R. mucilaginosa cells displayed a hormesis effect in response to the nanoparticle dose concentration. The nanoparticles showed different responses during the uptake process, probably as a consequence of the nanostructural properties of capsaicin in the BSA molecules.

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Some Ecological Problems of Development of Mineral Raw Materials in Amurskaya Oblast’

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.989-994.1305 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 989-994 ◽

pp. 1305-1308

Author(s):

Lyudmila Timopheevna Krupskaya ◽

Valentina Pavlovna Zvereva ◽

Oleg Olegovich Panfilov

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Raw Material ◽

Mining Enterprise ◽

Ecological Problems ◽

Processing Wastes ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Zone Of Influence ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Plant Processing ◽

Innovation Approach

The paper considers some ecological problems of the gold-mining enterprise in Amurskaya Oblast’. The investigations have revealed the technogenic pollution of the soil-grounds, air basin, and vegetation under the action of the processing wastes. High concentrations of heavy metals were found in the soils and vegetation in the zone of influence of the plant processing heavy concentrates at a distance of 100 and more meters. They are 2 to 90 times higher than the background values practically in all directions from the technogenic object. High TM concentrations were found also in the soils of building zone. Using the innovation approach we have elaborated the measures for decreasing the pollution negative effect on the habitat. We propose a new way of reclamation of the lands disturbed by the wastes of the mineral raw material processing with the use of the mixed bark-compost of the forest industry wastes.

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Differential Effects of Azithromycin, Doxycycline, and Cotrimoxazole in Ingested Blood on the Vectorial Capacity of Malaria Mosquitoes

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofw074 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mathilde Gendrin ◽

Rakiswendé Serge Yerbanga ◽

Jean Bosco Ouedraogo ◽

Thierry Lefèvre ◽

Anna Cohuet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Meal ◽

Infection Intensity ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Falciparum Infection ◽

Vectorial Capacity ◽

Plasmodium Infection ◽

Mosquito Survival ◽

Negative Effect ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Malaria Mosquitoes

Abstract Background. The gut microbiota of malaria vector mosquitoes grows after a blood meal and limits Plasmodium infection. We previously showed that penicillin and streptomycin in the ingested blood affect bacterial growth and positively impact mosquito survival and permissiveness to Plasmodium. In this study, we examine the effects of doxycycline, azithromycin, and co-trimoxazole. All 3 antibiotics are used in mass drug administration programs and have antimicrobial activities against bacteria and various stages of malaria parasites. Methods. The effects of blood meal supplementation with antibiotics on the mosquito microbiota, lifespan, and permissiveness to Plasmodium falciparum were assessed. Results. Ingestion of any of the 3 antibiotics significantly affected the mosquito microbiota. Azithromycin decreased P falciparum infection load and mosquito lifespan, whereas at high concentrations, doxycycline increased P falciparum infection load. Co-trimoxazole negatively impacted infection intensity but had no reproducible effect on mosquito lifespan. Conclusions. Our data suggest that the overall effect of antibiotic treatment on parameters critical for mosquito vectorial capacity is drug specific. The negative effect of azithromycin on malaria transmission is consistent with current efforts for disease elimination, whereas additional, larger scale investigations are required before conclusions can be drawn about doxycycline.

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