Influence of biofortification with chitosan-iodine complexes on thephytochemical quality of jalapeño pepper fruits

Abstract

The use of chitosan-iodine (Cs-I) complexes can be a goodstrategy to improve the nutraceutical quality and the concentration of Iin the edible part of crops. The objective of this study was to evaluatethe effects of biofortification via foliar of I in a complex with Cs on thenutraceutical quality of jalapeño pepper fruits. The treatments were thefollowing: absolute control, 1% Cs and I complex (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mgL−1) + 1% Cs. The application of the 15 mg L−1complex of Cs-I improvedthe nutraceutical quality of the fruits, in contrast to the application of 1%Cs individually. In addition, as the dose of the Cs-I complex increases, theaccumulation of I in the fruit increases. The use of the Cs-I complex is analternative to modulate the nutraceutical quality and I content in jalapeñopepper fruits.