Effects of drought stress on capsanthin during fruit development and ripening in pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.)

•We found that the content of capsanthin in pepper pericarp declined with drought stress.•Interestingly drought had no significant effect on Ccs gene expression.•β-carotene hydroxylase (Crtz) and Lycopene-β-cyclase (Lcyb) genes of capsanthin synthesis pathway upstream were more sensitive to drought stress.•Drought influenced expression of Lcyb and Crtz genes and influenced synthesis of capsanthin in pepper pericarp.•Re-watering after drought stress in fruit turning stage was helpful for recovering the synthesis of capsanthin in pepper.