Capsaicin, the substance that causes spiciness

Capsaicin (C₁₈H₂₇NO₃) belongs to the group of capsaicinoids, which all have similar structures and are responsible for the spiciness of chili peppers. It is not water-soluble, but fat-soluble, which is why milk is more effective at reducing the spiciness of chili peppers than water.

However, it is not only used to spice up food, but also has a number of applications in medicine, animal defense and even research.

So that you know what you're consuming in Brandstifter chili sauces, here's a brief overview of what capsaicin is used for:

Culinary uses

Capsaicin gives chilies, peppers, and spice blends their spiciness and is therefore used in food for precisely this reason. It also has preservative properties. Due to its antimicrobial properties, capsaicin can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, as well as some molds. Studies show that capsaicin is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, but less effective against gram-negative bacteria.

Medical use

Capsaicin is used in pain therapy, for example in ointments, creams, or patches to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatism, or nerve pain (e.g., shingles, diabetic neuropathy). High-dose capsaicin (e.g., Qutenza patches, 8%) is specifically used for chronic nerve pain.

It is also used as a mechanism of action in treatment. It stimulates the pain receptors (TRPV1), which then become "dulled" for a period of time, thus preventing pain signals from being transmitted.

Research and neuroscience

Studies on pain transmission and inhibition show that capsaicin specifically activates certain receptors responsible for heat and pain sensations. Therefore, it is used in research to deliberately induce and investigate pain responses or inflammation.

Animal defense / self-defense

Capsaicin is the main active ingredient in pepper sprays used against humans or animals. If you've ever handled a chili pepper with your bare hands and then accidentally touched your eyes, you know what that means.

Therefore, capsaicin is suitable as an animal repellent against, for example, dogs, bears, or wild animals. In some regions, it is also sprayed on plants or objects to keep animals away or to make objects unattractive to, for example, rodents. One way to protect your car from marten damage.

agriculture

Capsaicin can be used against certain pests or as protection against browsing by wild animals and is therefore used in organic farming methods as a natural insect repellent.

Finally, it should be noted that highly concentrated capsaicin can severely irritate mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract, and it burns like hell in the eyes or on open wounds. Anyone who has ever handled chilies with their bare hands and then rubbed their eyes knows this.

But that shouldn't stop anyone from eating delicious, spicy chili sauces!