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Application of Capsaicin

Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers. It is irritating to mammals including humans and can cause a burning sensation in the mouth. Capsaicin and some related compounds, also known as piscum capsaicin, are secondary metabolites produced by peppers, possibly as a deterrent to herbivores. Birds are generally not sensitive to pepper elements. Pure capsaicin is a water-repellent, lipophilic, colorless, odorless, crystalline or waxy compound.


1. Capsaicin as a food additive


Chili peppers are used as food seasonings, and some shallow processing of chili peppers is required to make chili sauce and so on. However, when these products are eaten, the capsaicin has to undergo a leaching process, and the bioavailability of capsaicin is not high. At the same time, the alkali continues to be released in the intestine, irritating the intestinal wall, which can cause abdominal discomfort, and even cause anal burning pain and induce hemorrhoids. Therefore, the extraction and separation of capsaicin from capsicum, as an additive in food processing, is beneficial to the control of spiciness and the full absorption and utilization of capsaicin.


2. The application of capsaicin in medicine and health care


China is one of the first countries to use chili peppers as medicines. Chili peppers are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stomach cold and rheumatism. Modern research shows that capsaicin has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anesthesia and detoxification effects. Its analgesic effect is equivalent to that of morphine, but it is more durable than morphine. It is effective in post-herpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and diabetic neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, alopecia, etc. have significant curative effect. In addition, capsaicin can also inhibit the occurrence of malignant tumors, and also has special effects on the treatment of skin diseases and weight loss.


3. Capsaicin is used in marine antifouling coatings


Some attached organisms in the ocean, such as barnacles, seaweed, shellfish, etc., are attached to the bottom of ships, buoys, docks, bridge piers, seawater pipes and aquaculture cage nets. Due to their large number and extremely fast growth, they can slow down the speed of ships, increase fuel, accelerate metal corrosion, block pipes and cage meshes, and unbalance underwater facilities, etc., which have caused great harm to human development of the ocean. Capsaicin, as a repellant, has a strong repelling effect and does not kill marine organisms, and has obvious ecological benefits.


4. Capsaicin is used as repellant against ants and rodents in wires and cables


Polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene are more and more widely used as insulation and sheathing materials in the wire and cable industry. In addition to being damaged by oxygen, heat, light, force, and chemical erosion, they will also be injured by termites, mice or hares, resulting in power outages, communication interruptions or even short circuits and fires. Using the strong and spicy taste of capsaicin, the oral mucosa and taste nerve of rodents can be strongly stimulated and they refuse to chew. At the same time, it can kill termites. There are broad application prospects.

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