piperine

noun

pip·​er·​ine ˈpi-pə-ˌrēn 

: a white crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the chief active constituent of pepper

Examples of piperine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fiery piperine is concentrated in this inner white pit, Frisch says, which means white pepper is often sharper than black since there’s none of the sweet skin to tame the kick. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024

Black pepper is rich in piperine, an antioxidant that can help prevent cellular damage and has been shown to decrease inflammation in animals, though its effect on humans has not been determined. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2024

Because curcumin is not well-absorbed by the body, supplements often also contain piperine (extracted from black pepper) to increase its uptake.31 Taking curcumin with a meal that contains healthy fats may also be helpful. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2024

The one common attribute of black pepper and chili pepper concerns their bioactive alkaloids, piperine in the case of black pepper and capsaicin — a constituent of chili powder and cayenne pepper — in the case of chili peppers. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from French pipérine, from Latin piper pepper

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

piperine

noun

pip·​er·​ine ˈpip-ə-ˌrēn 

: a white crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the chief active constituent of pepper