SHEET /vs/capsaicin-vs-piperine · COMPARISON
Capsaicin vs Piperine: what is the difference?
How they differ
Both are the heat in a spice and they act on the same receptor with very different force. Capsaicin from chilli and piperine from black pepper both activate TRPV1, the nerve channel that reports heat and physical damage, which is why both feel like burning even though nothing is hot. Capsaicin is far the stronger, at roughly 16,000,000 Scoville units in pure form against piperine's 100,000, a difference of over a hundredfold. They also differ in the character of the heat: capsaicin builds and lingers, and piperine bites sharply and fades. Structurally capsaicin carries a long fatty tail on a vanillyl amide, and piperine is a compact ring system, which is why capsaicin is the more fat-soluble and harder to wash out with water.
Side by side
| Capsaicin | Piperine | |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | C18H27NO3 | C17H19NO3 |
| Molecular weight | 305.4 g/mol | 285.34 g/mol |
| Family | Phenolic compounds | Plant alkaloids |
| Everyday group | Plant | Plant |
| Functional groups | Aromatics, Amides, Phenols, Ethers | Aromatics, Amides, Ethers |
| GHS signal wordThe supplier-filed hazard label, not a statement about ordinary use. | Danger | Danger |
| Oral LD50A single acute animal measure. It ranks nothing about human safety. | 47.2 mg/kg (oral, rat) | not recorded |
| ScovillePure compound, not a sauce or a pepper. | 16,000,000 SHU | 100,000 SHU |
| Found in | Chili Peppers, Hot Sauce | Black Pepper |
| CAS number | 404-86-4 | 94-62-2 |
| PubChem CID | 1548943 | 638024 |
Common questions
- What is the difference between Capsaicin and Piperine?
- Both are the heat in a spice and they act on the same receptor with very different force. Capsaicin from chilli and piperine from black pepper both activate TRPV1, the nerve channel that reports heat and physical damage, which is why both feel like burning even though nothing is hot. Capsaicin is far the stronger, at roughly 16,000,000 Scoville units in pure form against piperine's 100,000, a difference of over a hundredfold.
- Is Capsaicin bigger than Piperine?
- Capsaicin is the heavier molecule, 305.4 g/mol against 285.34 g/mol for Piperine. Capsaicin is C18H27NO3 and Piperine is C17H19NO3.
- Is Capsaicin hotter than Piperine?
- Capsaicin is the hotter of the two, 16,000,000 SHU against 100,000 SHU for Piperine. Both figures are for the pure compound, not for a pepper or a sauce.