Molecules of the week:

HN

O

HO

CH3

OO

N

O

O

piperine capsaicin

• Found in the berries of Piper nigrum, a tropical vine.

• White pepper: pulp removed, seeds are dried

• Black pepper: whole berry is fermented, then dried

• Found in chilis, like habeñero, serrano, and jalapeño

• Stimulates pain responses, and causes the release of endorphines

• ≤ 10 ppm causes burning sensation

• Non-polar tail--dissolves in cell membrane (drink milk, not beer!)