Fruit development in Capsicum annuum: Changes in capsaicin, lignin, free phenolics, and peroxidase patterns

Pepper fruits, of Capsicum annuum cv. Padron, undergo changes in content of capsaicinoids, lignin, and free phenolics during the maturation process. A lthough capsaicinoids increase with development, the maximal levels of free phenolics and lignin are observed during the early stages of development. A decrease of peroxidase activity was observed during maturation, and this was related with a decrease in other physiological parameters studied, name ly chlorophylls and pH. Subcellular fractionation studies reveal that most peroxidase activity is localized in the soluble fraction throughout develop ment. The changes in the peroxidase activity were accompanied by changes in the different isoenzymes. Acidic isoenzymes increased whereas the basic is oenzymes decreased over the same period, and the changes in these isoenzyme s were related with capsaicin metabolism.