Capsicum Diversity Project
We have the pleasure to present to you the fourth issue of the
CAPSICUM DIVERSITY PROJECT NEWSLETTER covering activi-ties carried out in the last 4 months (September-December), includ-ing information about upcominclud-ing events.
This Newsletter has been prepared in English and in Spanish and is distributed via email. You can share it with colleagues at your insti-tution. We encourage your feedback, suggestions and contributions, all of which can be sent to [email protected]
BOLIVIA and PERU
Diversity of preparations based on Capsicum
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December 2011
Output 1: Diversity of commercially valuable Capsicum attributes is determined and its rele-vance demonstrated for particular markets
Analysis of national and international high-value and niche Capsicum markets
Hannover is currently collaborating with ITA on the design and implementation of the market study for processed chil-lies in Bolivia. Moreover, the different students in Peru are currently finishing their thesis work on value chain analyses of different native chillies in different regions of Peru as Piura and Ancash, in order to be able to complete their degree and publish their results. The theses completed so far are available in our Windows Live Group CapsicumBioversity.
In June 2011, UNALM organized a preliminary trial with chilies from its own collection to evaluate the culinary potential in coordination with the Peruvian Gastronomical Society (APEGA). Based on these results, a more consistent trial will be organized in April-May 2012 when the UNALM´s chili collection will be harvested.
Bioversity (Matthias Jäger) participated in the Fancy Food Specialty Food & Beverage Fair that took place in Washington D.C. (U.S.A.) from the 8-13 of July 2011. This is the largest food fair in North America where 180,000 products, including chili based products were displayed. Approximately 2,400 companies participated, mostly from the U.S.
There are several U.S. companies whose owners are well known recognized chefs and restaurant owners, who promote their chili products through culinary recipes or through their own restaurants. Therefore, the importance and the po-tential to promote the Peruvian unknown and underutilised chili diversity, making use of the Peruvian culinary boom in the U.S. and the rest of the world, needs to be highlighted. On the other hand, an encouraging finding is the fact that some companies in the U.S. and in Germany are interested in a bigger diversification of their chilli product portfolio, and in receiving and evaluating exotic unknown chili samples that the project works with.
Additionally, a market research regarding different chili products sold by some supermarkets in Washington D.C. was carried out including a supermarket of the Wholefoods organic product chain that offers a great variety of certified or-ganic products. Chili products are mainly sold as salsas (sauces). However, a huge variety of antipasto or dip prepara-tions, that use a great array of additional ingredients such as exotic fruits, spices and vegetables, is also displayed, in order to obtain a unique taste which allows companies to differentiate their products from competitors.
Enhanced conservation of and access to the existing national collection of Capsicum
Peruvian National Collection of Capsicum
Bioversity worked with INIA to generate a detailed work plan to finalize the establishment of exclusion cages to main-tain the genetic integrity of the National Capsicum collection kept at INIA.
In September, the Capsicum collection showed premature dehiscence of flowers and fruits of many of its accessions, however, this was successfully controlled. The evaluation and characterization of the collection using qualitative and quantitative descriptors is undergoing. During this reporting period, fruits of 32 accessions have been harvested which upon completion of the required amounts, will be sent to Wuppertal for biochemical and sensory analyses.
During October and November the regular maintenance of the col-lection was carried out without incident, continuing with the mor-phological characterization, evaluation, photographical documen-tation and taxonomical identification.
To date, 270 accessions have been identified taxonomically and once new flowers and fruits appear, the identification will be cor-roborated. Additionally, cultural practices such as continuous irri-gation have been carried out every 8 days, and weeding and pre-ventive phytosanitary applications (Figure 1) to control Prodiplosis
have also been practiced. The living barriers (maize) between rows have been harvested and consequently the germplasm has better aeration.
Figure 1. Phytosanitary control carried out in the National Capsi-cum Germplasm Bank maintained by INIA (Photo: INIA).
Although the exclusion cages assure the genetic integrity of the acces-sions, there are some difficulties in the characterization of the more robust accessions as the cages are not big enough to permit easy ac-cess to the plants (Figure 2). However, some cages are being modified (increasing their height) to give more space to larger plants.
At the Rocoto National Collection in EEA Santa Rita Arequipa main-tained by INIA, the 200 existing accessions have been completely characterized and harvested. The 99 newly collected accessions are growing in the fields and have begun to flower and fructify. This col-lection also suffered some flower dehiscence problems so there has been some delay in fruit production. At present, accessions are being characterized and evaluated.
Bioversity, worked with INIA and Wuppertal in matching and verifying different collection, field and national codes of the accessions of the National Capsicum collection, as there was some confusion due to the use of several codes for each accession. The records are now in order.
Molecular analysis of samples
Several discussions among Bioversity, CIFP and INIA regarding the optimal number of primers to be used in the mo-lecular analysis of samples that take into account the great diversity in the Bolivian and Peruvian National Capsicum
collections have occurred. After reviewing the literature and understanding the rationale behind the use of a certain number of primers, 20 pairs of primers have been chosen to be used in Bolivia and Peru, and a standardized protocol for the study of the genetic diversity of chili has already been established.
INIA has carried out 528 DNA Capsicum leaf extractions of five species (C. annuum, C. baccatum, C. chinense, C. fru-tescens and C. pubescens). The DNA has been quantified and diluted to a concentration of 40 ng/ul and stored at -20ºC. DNA quality and quantity trials have been carried out with Nanodrop and 1% agarose gels.
The PRC amplification in INIA has been carried out with a thermal cycle, and the visualization of the 1% agarose gels to test the molecular weight and the annealing temperature have been conducted (Figure 3).
Representative set of native materials screened for attributes of interest
Sample drying
The drying protocol using an air-forced oven acquired by INIA within the framework of the project has been elabo-rated.During September-December, 10 samples have been collected, cut into pieces, the seeds have been removed and the samples were dried in the stove. The samples were then grinded and were packed in transparent Ziploc bags properly marked with their national code. These were then stored at -20ºC until the amount of dried sample is reached and then they are going to be sent to Wuppertal. During this period, 7 new accessions from the National Capsicum
Germplasm Collection maintained by INIA have been sent to Wuppertal.
From a field evaluation of 413 accessions carried out in this period in EE Donoso Huaral, until date 18 accessions have been harvested as their maturity state was optimal, evaluated and dried. However, only 8 of these have the sufficient amount of dry sample to be further milled, packed and sent to Wuppertal in the end of December
.
Biochemical and sensory sample analyses
The analyses of the UNALM and the last set of INIA samples are in progress and will be finished by the end of Decem-ber. A new thesis has been started by Frederik Lessmann, and will focus on the gas chromatographic identification of the sugar content in chilies to correlate instrumental data with sensory evaluation. Frederik’s work will take six months.
The 114 accessions sent by CIFP and PROINPA (Bolivia) have been completely analyzed for their biochemical attrib-utes. Out of these, Wuppertal recommended 40 accessions to be replanted as they have exceptionally high vitamin C content or outstanding results with regard to capsaicinoids (very high, very low, unusual ratios), polyphenols, antioxi-dative capacity, carotenoids and lipid content.
Figure 3. Primer standardization
The PCR duplex reaction has been standardized with its respec-tive protocols, being now able to amplify two DNA fragments of interest in one PCR. Until date, 5 pairs of PCR duplex have been obtained (Figure 4 a and b). The additional needs regarding materials to complete the molecular analysis of the Peruvian National Capsicum collection have been sent to Bioversity.
After conducting 13 sessions (90 min, once per week) of basic sensory training with 23 persons, a sensory panel of 17 persons was selected and trained for descriptive sensory analysis for another 15 sessions. This panel identified a set of descriptors (Table 1) for objectively describing taste, trigeminal sensation, pronasal and retronasal odour and estab-lished the intensity of each descriptor with a scale.
The sensory profiling of three market samples dried by INIA (Ají mirasol, Ají panca, Ají amarillo) provided distinctive and repeatable profiles for these chili varieties. Simultaneously, this demonstrated the very good performance of the trained panel (Figure 5-7). The other 3 market samples had pungency levels above 10,000 SHU and were beyond the pungency tolerance of the panel.
Samples
No.
attributes
Sensory
parameters
Attributes
1
Taste
(basic taste)
sweet
2
bitter
3
Retronasal
odour
fruity
4
caramel-like
5
hay – straw-like
6
musty
7
smoky
8
soup seasoning
9
Trigeminal
sensation
pungent
10
burning
11
Pronasal
odour
fruity
12
caramel-like
13
hay – straw-like
14
musty-earthy
15
smoky
16
soup seasoning
17
buttery
18
floral
Table 1. Final list of sensory parame-ters and attributes that will be used by the sensory panel to carry out descrip-tive sensory analyses in Capsicum samples.
Figure 6. Sensory profile of Ají Panca Figure 7. Sensory profile of Ají Amarillo
Visit
Carlos Bejarano (PROINPA, Bolivia) visited Wuppertal from 6–16 October to attend the ANUGA fair in Cologne, the food chemistry laboratories of the University of Wuppertal (Figure 8), a fair trade shop in Wuppertal, the van Hees spice mill in Wuppertal and one of Europe’s biggest vegetable and fruit processing companies (Stollenwerk, Kerpen) (Figure 9) besides discussing matters of the project.
Capsicum evaluation tests
Bioversity, together with CIFP, INIA and PROINPA, generated a work plan to establish evaluation trials in Bolivia and Peru, and Bioversity is currently monitoring the process to assure the use and implementation of a common methodol-ogy in both countries. Based on the suggestions made by Wuppertal (biochemical characterization), CIFP (agro-morphological characterization), PROINPA (agro-(agro-morphological characterization), and Bioversity (comparative review), 44 accessions have been selected to be transplanted in different sites in Bolivia for the evaluation trials of accession per environment.
Evaluation and enhancement of local cultivation practices
UNALM is currently elaborating the terms of reference of relevant research topics and the work plan to be carried out in Peru. Regarding the elaboration and delivery of a situation diagnosis of the current production and critical points in Peru, until date information from ají escabeche fields in Paiján and Moche (La Libertad, October 2011) and Casma (Ancash, from September 2011) has been registered.
This study that includes field visits and interviews will continue with the thesis students from the UNALM-VLIR project during summer period 2012, that is the production high peak period of the 2011-2012 campaign (Figure 10). It is
im-Figure 8. (left) Carlos Be-jarano (PROINPA) visiting the laboratory of the U. Wuppertal and carrying out some of the sensory trials (Photo: Michael Petz).
Figure 9. (right) Visit to Stol-lenwerk, Kerpen, one of Europe’s biggest vegetable and fruit processing companies (photo: U. Wuppertal).
portant to note that the ají escabeche campaign initiates in the norte chico on average in September and continues in the southern valleys with production until November.
Assessment and optimization of local post-harvest and processing practices
Field research at UNALM/EEA Donoso Huaral - INIA
Technical support has been given to Birgit Janskwoski, a student from the University of Hohenheim during this period. She finished her field and laboratory trials in INIA, and returned to Germany where she is currently busy analyzing her results. She will submit her thesis at the end of December.
Her work aims to evaluate the content of carotenoids and vitamin C of some local species of Capsicum as well as the effect of drying via different methods under Peruvian winter conditions on the coast. The traditional procedure of sun drying directly on the ground is suspected to cause considerable nutritional losses and decrease product quality. This was evaluated against the use of advanced solar drying technology (solar tunnel dryer) introduced to the project by the University of Hohenheim (Figure 11).
Comparisons were made between fresh and dried materials using three local commercial varieties of different Capsi-cum species (Ají panca, ají amarillo and ají guajillo). Additionally, six local accessions of a gene bank were analyzed. Analyses were carried out by conducting HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) at INIA using methods adapted especially for this study. Furthermore, measurements of water activity, moisture content and surface colour before, during and after drying were obtained. The vitamin and carotenoid content of three local varieties and six local accessions of the National genebank in Peru were identified.
It was observed that drying in the traditional way was almost impossible under Peruvian winter conditions and re-sulted in microbiological degradation, whereas solar dryer samples almost reached the target moisture content even under the overcast conditions on the Coast of Peru at this time of the year. Capsicum dried under these conditions result in higher carotenoid and vitamin content which can provide products of better nutritional and economical value. Due to logistical and temporal restraints, testing of pre-treatments was not possible. By the time of the essays, the gene bank accessions at INIA did not produce enough fruits to supply the material requirement of the solar drying experiments. This in combination with extended drying time due to poor climatic conditions, caused cancellation of experiments to test pre-treatments.
Investigation of sorption behaviour of individual fruit parts
In Hohenheim, the equilibrium moisture content of each part of chilli, flesh, stem and seed was calculated in different relative humidity range of 10 to 80% at 25 °C. The adsorption isotherm of seed showed significant differences from stem and flesh while the experimental adsorption behaviour between stem and flesh did not show any significant dif-ferences. The differences were most likely due to different chemical composition of individual fruit parts. Seeds have a higher fat content and consequently the sorption isotherm was affected.
Seed characteristics will play a vital role in storability of Capsicum fruits dried and stored in whole. Although water activity of other fruit parts may be adequate, if the seeds are not dried to safe levels, the whole product may suffer spoilage. This effect is increased also because of the high fat content of seeds which greatly influences rancidity and microbial activity. This research was completed. Results will be combined with experiments from 2011 and submitted for publication.
Figure 10. (left) Local chili field (C. chinense) with drop irrigation in a small farm in La Libertad, located in the northern region of Peru. Note the fruits being sun dried to extract seeds, as well as salt accumulation from the drop-per. This is an aspect that can be enhanced in this kind of produc-tion system (Photo: Programa de Hortalizas-UNALM).
Bioversity was invited by GIZ-BEAF to participate in the elaboration of terms of reference for the GIZ-BEAF Interna-tional Internship Programme for International Agricultural Research Centres. Under this programme, GIZ-BEAF would sponsor an intern to work in a specific area of the Capsicum project for 3 to 6 months. Bioversity prepared two propos-als for the Internship Programme in consultation with the U. Hohenheim and PROINPA. The propospropos-als are: “Assessment of the current postharvest handling chain for production of export-quality Capsicum products in Peru”, and “Identification of promising chili pepper diversity in its centre of origin for high-value product differentiation and income generation for the poor”, respectively. The decision by GIZ-BEAF will be given at the beginning of 2012. The proposals can be downloaded from CapsicumBioversity Windows Live.
Strengthening the linkages between key actors of the chili value chain such as producers, asso-ciations (ADEX) and buyers
Hohenheim will deliver a manual with recommendations for optimum humidity during stor-age and types of pre-treatments for Capsicum. Currently a report about HACCP application to local drying practices has been finished and provided to Bioversity (Figure 12). First draft of manual for solar drying of Capsicum spp. has been completed and provided to local partners for testing and feedback. Moreover, the elaboration and delivery of a guide on good drying practices in Capsicum will be delivered after the analysis of the final results of is complete.
Figure 12. Cover for the “Manual for the application of HACCP principles and drying proce-dure for Capsicum spp. in a solar tunnel dryer type in Bolivia and Peru” that will be pub-lished by the University of Hohenheim.
Output 3. Strategies, tools and guidelines developed and collective action in place
Figure 13. Peruvian stand in the Fancy Food Specialty Food & Beverage fair, Washington (Photo: Matthias Jäger).
Bioversity, CIFP and INIA, made presentations at the VIII Symposium on Genetic Resources for Latin America and the Caribbean (SIRGEALC) – “Conservation, Valuation, Sustainable Use” carried out in Quito, Ecuador from the 21-23 of November 2011. The presentations that can be found at the CapsicumBioversity Windows Live. Within this Sympo-sium, a Capsicum special session and discussion was organized by Bioversity to determine together with CIFP and INIA, the criteria for the selection of accessions to be included in the evaluation trials accession by environment that will start in 2012.
Peru participated with a stand in the Fancy Food Specialty Food & Beverage Fair in Washington, represented mostly by big agroindustrial companies that mainly work with chili varieties currently preferred by markets (Figure 13). Un-fortunately, the great Peruvian native chili diversity is not part of their differentiation strategies. Hosted by The Peru-vian Export Association (ADEX), Bioversity gave a presenta-tion of the Capsicum project. Several Peruvian exhibitors were attracted by the considerable native diversity that the
Capsicum project is dealing with and the results of the dif-ferent project components.
Publications can be found through the following link in our Windows Live Group CapsicumBioversity:
https://groups.live.com/P.mvc#!/CapsicumBioversity/ Note that it is necessary for you to register your email address before being able to enter the group´s site.
Article
Petz, M. 2011. Chili-Forschung gegen Armut [Chili research against poverty]. UNIREPORT 2011/12, University of Wup-pertal, p. 60-61 (in German/English in preparation): http://www.uni-wuppertal.de/universitaet/veroeff_broschuer/ p_pics/Unireport2011.pdf
Thesis
Arias, D. 2011. Value chain analysis of aji Escabeche (Capsicum baccatum L. var. pendulum (Wild)) and aji Picante (Capsicum sp.) in Los Ejidos del Norte, Piura, Peru. Undergraduate Thesis. Department of Agriculture. Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Lima, Peru.
Grade: Outstanding. Note: “Outstanding” is the best possible grade. That grade is an exception not a rule. All the students supervised by UHannover have obtained so far that distinction.
Posters
Ávila, T., Atahuachi, M., Reyes, X., Choque, A., Coca, N. 2011. Nuevas colectas del género Capsicum en Bolivia. VIII Simposio Internacional de Recursos Genéticos para América Latina y el Caribe-SIRGEALC. 21-23 November 2011. Quito, Ecuador.
Meckelmann, S., Lüpertz, M. Schröders C., Marquenie D., Riegel D., Petz, M., 2011.
Non-destructive screening of chili powders for color values and capsaicinoids by spectroscopic techniques. 5th
In-ternational Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis, 1-4 November 2011, Prague, Czech Republic. Olivera, M., Garcia, A. 2011. Los Colores del Sabor: Estudio de Mercado de los Chiles Nativos de Bolivia. Eight World
Pepper Convention. May 26-28, 2011. Guanajuato. Mexico.
Oral Presentations
Garcia-Yi, J., Medina, M., Grote, U. 2011. Revaluating the Paradox of Market Participation and Biodiversity Loss: The Case of Native Capsicum Varieties in the Amazon Rainforest of Peru. International Seminar on Sustainable Land Use and the Food Chain. International Society for Sustainable Development and Agriculture. December 1-3, 2011. Gottingen, Germany.
Jäger, M., van Zonneveld, M., Scheldeman, X. 2011. Vincular Bancos de Germoplasma y Pequeños Productores con Mercados de Alto Valor - El Ejemplo de la Diversidad de Capsicum en Perú y Bolivia. VIII Simposio Internacional de Recursos Genéticos para América Latina y el Caribe-SIRGEALC. 21-23 November 2011. Quito, Ecuador. Petz, M. 2011. Chili – mehr als nur scharf [Chili – more than just pungent]. Lecture at the Research Colloquium of the
Technical University of Dresden, 6 December 2011
Williams, D. E., Ríos Lobo, L., van Zonneveld, M. 2011. La colección nacional de Capsicum respalda el aprovechamien-to de ajíes en el Perú. VIII Simposio Internacional de Recursos Genéticos para América Latina y el
Caribe-SIRGEALC. 21-23 November 2011. Quito, Ecuador.
Internet (notes)
Fair gehandelter gelber Chili. 2011. Herd-und-Hof.de -Das Online Magazin für Verbraucher. [Fairtrade yellow chili. 2011. Herd-und-Hof.de -The online magazine for consumers). Available in the following URL: http://www.herd-und-hof.de/index/cmd/catalogue_details/modul/portal/kernwert/handel/block/catalogue_1/field/2468/
Post for ITA
Hohenheim would like to receive an update from ITA regarding the My-cotoxin results of 2010 samples.
At the request of project participants, this section includes pendings that have not yet received an answer or questions to specific partners.
Project Milestones (Green = on track; Orange = almost done; Red = delayed).
1 This activity is only delayed in Peru; X: Product delivery; 0: New deadline to hand in products.
T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4 T1 T2 T3 T4
Surveys completed to identify consumer
preferences, commercially valuable traits, quality requirements, market channels and opportunities
x 0
Each project partner develops a core collection (< 25 % of total), that is representative of the diversity present in the entire collection
x 0
Core collections screened for traits of interest in
two sites X
At least 15 accessions of elite Capsicum materials
available per country, including data on their optimal growing zones
X
Surveys, maps and studies of value chain actors
completed X
Assessment and recommendations for good
agricultural practices completed1 x 0
Assessment and recommendations for good
post-harvest and manufacturing practices completed x x 0
Value-chain upgrading strategies agreed upon by key actors
Target markets identified; finished products
developed and tested X
Guidelines published X
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
[
NEW
SECTION
]
Post for CIFP & PROINPA
Wuppertalwould like t
o
know (Carlos Bejarano /
Teresa Avila): It would be
highly interesting to see whether those sample
s with
outstanding vitamin C
con-tent have been dried w ith
the Hohenheim solar d ryer.
Please indicate which acc
es-sions have been solar
dried. Post for PROINPA Hohenheim would like to receive an update from PROINPA on the status of the solar dryer in Padilla, whether dry-ing trials were made and if they were suc-cessful.
Post for U. Hannover
Wuppertal would like to know
CAPSICUM DIVERSITY PROJECT NEWSLETTER — NUMBER 4, DECEMBER 2011
Edition, design and layout: Karen Amaya
German Agency for International
INIA, Peru PROINPA, Bolivia Fundación ITA,
Bolivia Wuppertal University, Germany
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S
1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 26 27 28 29 30 31 30 31
Capsicum Project Annual Meeting for year 2 – Lima (Peru), 30 January-3 February 2012.
