Numex Lotalutein, a Lutein-Rich Serrano Pepper
HORTSCIENCE 55(12):2052–2055. 2020. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14949-20 segregating population produced segregating lines of mature fruit that were red, yellow, and orange. Single-plant selection using phe- NuMex LotaLutein, a Lutein-rich notypic recurrent selection with pedigree breeding for earliness, desirable fruit shape Serrano Pepper and size, yield, and ease of destemming was accomplished. A total of seven generations of Ivette Guzman, Danise Coon, Krystal Vargas, and Paul W. Bosland self-pollination were accomplished using a Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State greenhouse during the winter season. Within University, Las Cruces, NM 88003 the segregating generations, five single-plant selections were made based on the color of Additional index words. Capsicum annuum , carotenoids, high-performance liquid chroma- ripeness alone. Each selected plant was selfed tography, human health, macular degeneration, open-pollinated by stripping fruits and open flowers and then placing an isolation cage over the individual plant to exclude any outcrossing (Bosland, Lutein is a carotenoid with antioxidant modification by the human body (Johnson, 1993). During each generation of selection, and anti-inflammatory properties important 2002). Sources of lutein are green leafy phenotypic traits considered to be impor- for reducing the risks of several chronic vegetables, yellow fruits and vegetables, tant to a serrano pod-type were selected diseases (Buscemi et al., 2018). Biofortifica- and egg yolks (Johnson, 2002). Furthermore, (Bosland and Votava, 2012). In 2013 and tion is the process by which the nutritional many studies have reported that lutein may 2014, selfed, single-plant selections were quality of food crops, like lutein, is improved have positive effects on different clinical planted at the LPSRC, and selections of through plant breeding, genetic medication, conditions, thus ameliorating cognitive func- desired horticultural traits were made and and other agronomic practices.
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