<em>Capsicum</em>: Chemistry and Medicinal Properties of Indigenous Indian Varieties
Capsicum pods (or chili pepper) constitute the world’s second most consumed vegetable crop and spice after tomato in our daily culinary practice. Five indigenous species that are widely domesticated in various parts of India include Capsicum annuum L., Capsicum chinense Jacq., Capsicum frutescens L....
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| Autores principales: | , |
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| Formato: | Capítulo de libro |
| Lenguaje: | inglés |
| Publicado: |
IntechOpen
2020
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72322 |
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| Sumario: | Capsicum pods (or chili pepper) constitute the world’s second most consumed vegetable crop and spice after tomato in our daily culinary practice. Five indigenous species that are widely domesticated in various parts of India include Capsicum annuum L., Capsicum chinense Jacq., Capsicum frutescens L., Capsicum baccatum L., and Capsicum pubescens L. The chili pods of C. chinense Jacq (locally known as Bhut Jolokia in the Assam state of India) was officially recognized as the world’s hottest Capsicum variety according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Capsaicinoids, a group of chemical principles present in matured capsicum pods, are responsible for the pungency as well as pharmacological/medicinal properties of capsicum. Some important capsaicinoids include capsaicin, followed by dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, and homocapsaicin. Traditional practices of capsicum pods of Bhut Jolokia have been well documented for the management of various human disorders/ailments, particularly in the north-eastern region of India. In modern medicine, Bhut Jolokia pods have been used in the treatment of arthritis, gastritis, toothache, and musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain including other pharmacological disorders and microbial infections. Capsaicinoids have been reported to exhibit a diverse range of biological effectiveness such as antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic effects. |
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| ISBN: | 978-1-83880-941-6 |
| DOI: | 10.5772/intechopen.92241 |