The Capsaicinoids: Their Separation, Synthesis, and Mutagenicity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00240a024

Capsaicin (1b), the pungent ingredient in many varietes of Capsicums has recently been implicated as a possible carcinogen.When obtained from natural sources 1b is always accompanied by a number of related homologues.We have isolated seven of these homologues, characterized them, and synthesized them by a general and unique route developed in our laboratories.Also reported are mutagenicity data for 1b and an extract of red pepper as measured by the Ames assay and the V-79 mammalian cell assay.