Microsatellite and biochemica characterization in pepper

Sweet Pepper, a species belonging to the genus Capsicum, is among the most important crops in the Solanaceae family. Along the Italian peninsula sweet Pepper is a traditional crop, characterised by an extraordinary variety of local landraces. Assessing the genetic diversity, the genetic profile and the phylogenetic relationships of autochthonous Pepper varieties of the Campania region are important steps towards the development of conservation plans, especially at a regional scale. In the framework of a project for the preservation of local landraces threatened with extinction, funded by the PSR 2007-2013 of the Campania Regional Council, genetic relationships and true cultivar identity of several accessions of the main Pepper traditional cultivars of the Campania Region (Southern Italy) were characterized using 16 published specific microsatellite molecular (SSR) markers. Furthermore, to better define the same traditional varieties, we analysed some biochemical parameters including total polyphenols content (using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent), antioxidant activity (measuring the capability to inhibit the stable radical DPPH), and beta carotene content evaluated through colorimetric method. We characterized 20 Pepper local varieties with 22 accessions and identified alleles originating the same genetic pattern for every accession of each investigated variety. Out of all the tested markers, only 7 showed polymorphism among landraces, in accordance with the scarce genetic variability of cultivated germplasm. Analysis of the biochemical profile revealed some differences among varieties for all parameters. Molecular biology techniques and biochemical profiling offer powerful analytical tools for variety identification of synonymic cultivars and could be used for the establishment of germplasm collections with maximum genetic variability, with positive consequences on the conservation and valorisation of the great genetic variation of vegetable species of the Campania Region.