January 19 - Chili and Salsa

1. To what family does capsaicin belong?

It belongs to the vanilloids family along with vanillin, eugenol, zingerone, and capsaicin.  They all contain a six-sided hexagonal ring of carbons. 

2. How is capsaicin different from the other molecules in its family?

The compound’s molecular weight is the highest of any of the vanilloids.  The side chain contains a polar amide group, which makes capsaicin’s volatility very low. 

3. Why is drinking water not useful for reducing the burning sensation from eating a chili or food that contains chili? If you feel “hotness” in your mouth, what should you drink? and why?

Capsaicin is insoluble in cold water that is why drinking water does not get rid of the hot sensation.  Drinking a cold beer is the best thing to drink to get rid of the hot sensation.  This is because capsaicin is freely soluble in alcohol and vegetable oils.

4. What is a Scoville Unit?

Scoville heat unite is the dilution sugar water needed to neutralize the heat of the chile.

5. Look up the 3 hottest chili’s according to their Scoville index. Google the names of these chili’s and see if you can find a picture of these chili’s to post on your blog (you may find some in the chili glossary at the above site)

Bhut Jolokia

Dorset Naga

 

Francisca

Read the following sections in the article Recent advances in the study of capsaicinoids and capsinoids (introduction, 2.1-pain relief, 2.2-cancer prevention, 2.3-weight reduction). Article is available on Moodle.

1. Capsinoids are considered less pungent than capsaicinoids. Look up the term “pungent”. What does it mean?

Pungent means to have a sharp, strong taste or smell.

2. Although you can buy creams containing capsaicin, how effective are they at controlling pain according to this article?

Creams containing capsaicin have moderate to poor efficacy for chronic pain. 

3. In table 1, what is the difference in the structure between capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin? What is the difference in the structure between capsaicin and homocapsaicin?

Capsaicin contains a double bond carbon in its carbon chain where dihydrocapsaicin does not. In homocapsicin, the second to last carbon had its carbon tail located at a different position than on capsaicin. 

4. Why is capsaicin considered a “double-edged sword” ? (see section 2.2-cancer prevention).

Capsaicin is believed to have both carcinogenic and chemopreventive properties, so it can treat cancer and it can cause cancer.

5. How is capsaicin related to weight-loss according to section 2.3-weight reduction?

Chili peppers are thought of as a potential food for obesity management. It is reported that capsaicin inhibits obesity by enhancing energy expenditure and reducing body fat accumulation in animal experiments.