Nonpungent Capsicum fermentation by Bacillus subtilis and the addition of Rapidase

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008 Nov;81(2):257-62. doi: 10.1007/s00253-008-1658-0. Epub 2008 Aug 27.

Abstract

To reduce the pungency of Capsicum without the loss of its biological activity, a Capsicum sp. was fermented by Bacillus subtilis with the addition of Rapidase enzyme. At 1 day of fermentation, the capsaicin content of the Capsicum ferment with Rapidase had sharply decreased from an initial content of 11.8 to 2.8 microg/ml. The Rapidase-fermented Capsicum had higher total flavonoid and phenolic contents than the Capsicum ferment without Rapidase. In addition, ABTS radical scavenging activity was enhanced in the Rapidase-fermented Capsicum as compared to that without Rapidase. Overall, fermentation using B. subtilis and Rapidase was an efficient method to produce a non-pungent Capsicum with antioxidant properties.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Bacillus subtilis / metabolism*
  • Benzothiazoles / analysis
  • Capsaicin / analysis
  • Capsicum / chemistry
  • Capsicum / metabolism*
  • Fermentation
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Phenols / analysis
  • Sulfonic Acids / analysis

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid
  • Capsaicin