The capsaicinoids: Their separation, synthesis, and mutagenicity

Capsaicin (1b), the pungent ingredient in many varieties 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 lb and an extract of red pepper as measured by the Ames assay and the V-79 mammalian cell assay.