Botryococcus braunii, a New Elicitor for Secondary Metabolite Production in Capsicum frutescens.

Botryococcus braunii is a green colonial microalga which is mainly used for the production of hydrocarbons, exopolysaccharides and
carotenoids. The present study revealed that some of the bioactive principles that are present in the algal extracts of B. braunii influence
growth parameters, pigment and secondary metabolites production in Capsicum frutescens at different levels (1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/l). Upon
treatment with different B. braunii extracts seed germination, root length, shoot length and leaf length were enhanced in both light and
dark conditions. A two-fold increase in germination occurred when 8 mg/l of B. braunii extract was applied, both in the light and in the
dark. Similarly, a 1-1.5-fold increased in shoot and leaf length was observed with 8 mg/l of B. braunii extract, a 2-3-fold increase in
chlorophyll and a 2-fold increase in carotenoid content after exposure of C. frutescens to 8 mg/l of B. braunii extract. Vanillylamine was
enhanced by 1-1.5-fold, capsaicin by 2-2.5-fold and 2-fold compared to the control after 15 days of incubation with the maximum
concentration of B. braunii.