The pepper bush (Piper nigrum), also known as black pepper or pepper for short, is a type of plant from the pepper family (Piperaceae). The fruits, also known as pepper or peppercorns, are used as a hot-tasting spice because of the alkaloid piperine they contain. To distinguish it from similar spices, one also speaks of real pepper.
Black pepper fruits are not always black. Depending on the time of harvest and further treatment, the peppercorns have different colors: green pepper, black pepper, white pepper, red pepper.
Despite the slight toxicity, Shinus fruits of the Brazilian pepper tree are used as a spice under the name “Pink Pepper”, “Rosé Pepper” or “Pink Berries”. However, they are not real pepper, but are added to black, white and green pepper for optical reasons instead of the rare red pepper. They have a mildly aromatic taste and are part of the popular 4-pepper mixture. Black pepper and its varieties are the most widely used spice in international cuisine.
At the same time, black pepper is also the most common additive in industrially produced foods, which is why the extract of the same name is the most popular item in the Biozevtika range. Given the popularity and variety of uses, customers are offered a variety of options for CO2 extract and black pepper extraction products.
- “Classic” CO2 extract from black pepper A100, fat-soluble. At the customer’s request, the bitterness and sharpness can vary within certain limits.
- CO2 extract from black pepper on a drying carrier (maltodextrin) A5 (5% extract in the product). In terms of taste and application rate in the end product, it is an approximate analogue of ground black pepper, at the same time it is technologically more practical and less demanding in terms of storage conditions. Suitable for cases in which it is not possible for the customer to work with the original extract, be it due to its high concentration and dosage complexity or because the customer’s equipment is “sharpened” for working with bulk solids.
- Water-soluble microemulsions of СО2 extracts of black pepper EMA1 and EMA5 (1% and 5% extract in emulsion). Suitable for use in all products that require water-soluble ingredients (e.g. juices). It can also be used where dispensers on filling lines are better suited for processing water-soluble ingredients than for loose or fat-soluble ingredients. It is primarily about the production of canned meat and fish.
- “Composition” extraction products, which are a mixture of different types of black pepper extracts. These products primarily serve to reduce production costs – in terms of taste and spiciness they are almost in no way inferior to the “classic” CO2 extract of black pepper and are also convincing in terms of price.
- Spicy mixtures and mixtures based on CO2 extract from black pepper, with the addition of other extracts. These are, for example, mixtures such as “pepper”, “buffet”, “4 peppers”. The areas of application of such mixtures are very diverse – on the one hand, they make it possible to make the product tastier and the label more interesting and varied without long development costs with a ready-made “packaged” solution (due to the presence of other extracts in addition to the usual black pepper extract). In many cases, the use of such mixtures is also cheaper at the same time.
Black pepper CO2 extract “Biozevtika” is an oily liquid with a fairly large amount of oily solid sediments. This sediment is the most important phytochemical in black pepper, piperine. The extract has a pleasant, distinctive, characteristic odor. In the course of chromatomass spectrometric investigations, several hundred compounds in the composition were analyzed, of which more than 70 were identified.
Chart 1. The main components of black pepper CO2 extract
| NAME | CONTENT IN% OF THE AMOUNT OF VOLATILE COMPONENTS | EFFECT |
|---|---|---|
| Palmitic acid | 32 | Unsaturated fatty acid for water repellency in cosmetics |
| α- and β-linolenic acid | 2 | Unsaturated, essential fatty acids from the class of omega-3 fatty acids. It has a membrane protecting, angioprotective effect. Immunomodulatory, improves brain metabolism |
| Bisabolene | 1,6 | It has powerful anti-inflammatory and aseptic effects. Shows antioxidant properties. It has anti-inflammatory effects – soothes and regenerates problematic and sensitive skin, soothes and moisturizes irritated skin, effectively fights dandruff |
| Linoleic acid | 1,3 | An essential unsaturated fatty acid of the omega-6 class. It has anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor, and aggregating effects. If there is no balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, competitive processes can arise that influence the metabolism |
| Camphene | 1,3 | Shows antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, calming properties, stimulates the central nervous system. Local irritant |
| Myrcene | 1,3 | Used in perfumery. Calms the nervous system |
| Limonene | 1,3 | Effective against fungi, mold and bacteria. Perfume scent. Effective repellant. Not recommended in cosmetic preparations for sensitive and allergy-prone skin |
| Myristicin | 1,2 | Psychotropic, diuretic.Eugenol / 1.1 / In medicine it is used as an antiseptic and anesthetic (pain reliever). Absorbs UV rays, so it is not recommended in day cosmetics |
| Safrol | 1 | In cosmetics, it combats many lines of expression and age, regenerates cell membranes and makes crow’s feet invisible. It is a powerful antioxidant, effectively fights rosacea and acne, accelerates the healing of wounds and cuts, suppresses the inflammatory process and promotes the regeneration of even very deep layers of the epidermis. It has a beneficial effect on the hair |
| Piperine | 15 | The main bitter substance that gives black pepper its taste. Strengthens muscles, improves digestion and accelerates weight loss. Strengthens the immune system and increases the physical performance of the body. Stimulates the secretion of gastric, pancreatic and intestinal juices. Removes harmful metabolic products from the body. Increases the level of cells responsible for skin color (melanocytes), so it is recommended for people with vitiligo.100% CO2 extract from black pepper and other peppers based on it contains 10 to 40% solid piperine. Piperine is not a volatile compound and cannot be detected using gas chromatographic methods; other methods have been used to identify it in the extract |
Native to India, black pepper is one of the spices that caused the colonization of India and several other tropical countries where the spice grew. Today it is grown in many tropical countries where it did not grow before.
In pharmacology, black pepper is used as an expectorant for cough, it improves appetite, promotes blood thinning, the decomposition of gallstones and the removal of gases from the intestines. It has a positive effect on the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system and at the same time strengthens the muscle corset. In eastern, especially Arab countries, black pepper is considered a strong aphrodisiac and rightly belongs to the potency-activating agents. CO2 extract is effective in grating oils for osteochondrosis, radiculitis, osteoarthritis of the joints and paralysis. Black pepper oil has proven itself very well in the treatment of Vitiligo, a disease that is considered incurable.
In cosmetics based on black pepper, products are made for:
- Treatment of dermatitis, acne, pustular inflammation
- Rejuvenation of mature skin
- Reduce wrinkles, tone and firm the skin
- as a substance in anti-cellulite creams
- as an ingredient that actively strengthens the hair and promotes hair growth
- Cosmetic products with CO2 extract from black pepper are only recommended for spa use, as they have the properties of intensive care products.
Chart 2. Application rates, recommendations for the use and storage of CO2 extract from black pepper
| Food usage rates | Item А100: 0.005% (50g per ton) Water-soluble microemulsions EMA1: 0.5% (5l per 1000l or 5ml per liter) |
| Application rates in cosmetics | Item А10: 1-3% Item А100: 0.1-0.3% |
| Recommendations for use | It is recommended to add CO2 extracts in the final stages of preparation, in the cooling phase of the end product. |
| Storage Instructions | It is recommended to store CO2 extracts in a closed container in a cool room and avoid direct sunlight. |