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Some like it Hot The Joy of Capsaicin Kaitlyn Hughes Anthony Rigoni

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What is Capsaicin? Chemical compound found in chili plants that create the spicy flavor Present in highest concentrations in the placental tissues of the veins that cover the seeds Capsaicin is the most abundant capsaicinoid, found in spices such as cayenne peppers, jalapeos, etc.

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What is Capsaicin? Molecular Formula- 305.41 g/mol C 18 H 27 NO 3

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History of Capsaicin First extracted by Christian Bucholz in 1816 Found in peppers throughout the world Added to Xocolatl, a drink Montezuma drank 50 times a day in hopes of living forever

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Plants Genus: Capsicum Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade) Native to the Americas Cultivated worldwide Birds are primary seed-distributor Over 20 species Bell Peppers are the largest fruit in the genus, but the only fruit that contains no capsaicin.

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Relatives Piperine comes from Black Peppers Hydroxy-alpha sanshool isolated from Sichuan Peppers Other Capsaicinoids found in Capsium Peppers Dihydrocapsaicin (16,000,000 Scovilles) Nordyhdrocapsaicin (9,100,000 Scovilles) Homodihydrocapsaicin (8,600,000 Scovilles) Homocapsaicin (8,600,000 Scovilles)

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Edibility Used as spice Heat stable Retains chemical properties during cooking Increases secretion of gastric juices May aid in digestion Antioxidant Binds free-radicals

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Edibility Used as antimicrobial agent Shown to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth Countries closer to the equator tend to have spicier foods Curry in India Herring in Sweden

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Edibility Mammals tend to avoid capsicum fruits Painful irritation of skin and mouth Birds do not avoid the fruits Does not cause burning or irritation in avian species Driving difference thought to be mammalian molars, used for grinding Capable of damaging seeds, inhibiting future germination Birds are primary seed distributors of Capsicum plants

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Scoville Scale Used to measure heat of pepper Gas Chromatography Concentration of hydrophilic compounds

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Chemical Properties Can be synthetically created in laboratories Insoluble in water Hydrophilic Targets mucus membranes Can cause skin irritation Capsaicinoids are the primary ingredient in Pepper Spray Both isolated or synthesized capsaicinoids

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Pest deterrent Repels mammals Small rodents Bears Insects Toxic to bacteria Marine Anti- fouling agent

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Mechanism of Capsaicin

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Opens Ca ++ /K + channels and deactivates Na + channels on vanilloid receptors Depolarizes cell wall Inhibits peptide release Functional desensitization causes neural damage Tarantula venom activates the same pathway

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Health Used in Prehistoric Americas as a pain reliever and to promote longevity Added to Xocolatl, the drink of the Gods Targets neurons and mucus membranes No known drug interactions

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Antimicrobial Properties Known inhibitor of bacterial and fungal growth Topical applicant on skin wounds Food additive Has been shown to help the body fight bacterial infections

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Skin Ailments Psoriasis Reduce itching and inflammation Shingles Qutenza dermal patch [Capsaicin] is between 0.025% and 0.075%

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Cardiovascular System Lowers blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Prevents blood clotting Prevent hardening of arteries

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Respiratory System Reduces thickness of mucus Easier for mucus to flow through nasal cavities and lungs Strengthens lung tissue Prevents emphysema

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Joint Pain Relieves minor pain associated with arthritis When used with rubefacients, can help with muscle sprains

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Nervous System Topically used to treat chronic pain General neuralgic anesthetic Currently being researched for treatment of cluster headaches

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Pictures From: http://www.castivabrands.com/blog/index.php/the- strange-pain-relieving-history-of-capsaicinhttp://www.castivabrands.com/blog/index.php/the- strange-pain-relieving-history-of-capsaicin http://www.spanishwars.net/16th-century-conquest-of- the-aztec-empire-partII.htmlhttp://www.spanishwars.net/16th-century-conquest-of- the-aztec-empire-partII.html http://www.albertleemassimi.com/NewPhoto/pages/PE PPER%20PLANT.htmhttp://www.albertleemassimi.com/NewPhoto/pages/PE PPER%20PLANT.htm http://www.herbs-herbal.com/Herbextract/Piperine-/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroxy-alpha- Sanshool.pnghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hydroxy-alpha- Sanshool.png http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/spice- entry.php?term=Sichuan%20Pepperhttp://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/spice- entry.php?term=Sichuan%20Pepper http://themastercleanse.org/cayenne-pepper/ http://www.gastronomydomine.com/?p=316 http://www.vbmap.org/world-maps-13/world-map-296/ http://www.hackronym.com/indian-curry-recipes.html http://www.sciencebuzz.org/museum/object/2003_12_ mole_muskrat_skull_teethhttp://www.sciencebuzz.org/museum/object/2003_12_ mole_muskrat_skull_teeth http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek070108.html http://www.eatmorechiles.com/Scoville_Heat.html http://thinkprogress.org/education/2012/04/11/462900/ uc-davis-report-pepper-spray/http://thinkprogress.org/education/2012/04/11/462900/ uc-davis-report-pepper-spray/ http://gnd912.deviantart.com/art/A-Barnacles-Boat- 186766402http://gnd912.deviantart.com/art/A-Barnacles-Boat- 186766402 Rndsystems.com/ihc_molecule_images http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/750118_3 http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/cellular_neurobiol ogyhttp://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/cellular_neurobiol ogy http://whatscookingamerica.net/Q-A/Mold.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis http://shingleshealthaware.com/symptoms.php http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heartdiseases.html http://www.activeforever.com/a-775-emphysema.aspx http://excelortho.net/blog/ankle-pain-could-it-be-a- sprain/http://excelortho.net/blog/ankle-pain-could-it-be-a- sprain/ http://www.ouch- us.org/chgeneral/hypothalamus/hypothalamus2.htmhttp://www.ouch- us.org/chgeneral/hypothalamus/hypothalamus2.htm

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