piperine

[ pip-uh-reen, -er-in ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline alkaloid, C 1 7 H 1 9 NO 3 , obtained from pepper and other piperaceous plants and also prepared synthetically: used as an insecticide.

piperine

/ -rɪn; ˈpɪpəˌraɪn /

noun

1. a crystalline insoluble alkaloid that is the active ingredient of pepper, used as a flavouring and as an insecticide. Formula: C 17 H 19 NO 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of piperine¹

1810–20; < Latin piper pepper + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of piperine¹

C19: from Latin piper pepper

Example Sentences

Pepper owes its properties to an alkaloid, piperine, and to a volatile oil.

From Project Gutenberg

Piperine colours the sulphuric acid blood-red, and is turned dark-brown, almost black by the cerium oxide (Sonnenschein).

From Project Gutenberg

He has proved that the alkaloid so obtained is identical with that prepared from piperine.

From Project Gutenberg

One-half ounce balsam copaiba, one-quarter ounce liquorice powder, one-half drachm piperine.

From Project Gutenberg

It also contains a mere trace of piperina or piperine, one of the most valuable constituents of black pepper.

From Project Gutenberg