Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering variants of species of the genus Capsicum by in vitro culture which comprises:(a) culturing excised anthers on a first medium which promotes the initiation of embryos for a period of time and under conditions sufficient for initiation to occur;(b) culturing initiated anthers in a second medium which promotes embryo development, the second medium comprising a first solid layer containing an effective amount of activated charcoal and a second aqueous layer containing no charcoal for a period of time and under conditions sufficient for embryo development to occur; and(c) recovering variant plantlets from embryos so produced.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of esters by reaction of an allylic ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and a halide compound to obtain esters. The halide compound is present in an amount sufficient to prevent the catalyst from being converted into a Group VIII metal during the reaction. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt the ester may be extracted by solvent extraction to minimize catalyst decomposition caused when extractive distillation is used to separate the ester.