[CH] another way to measure capsaicin
M. & L. Doster (mld@theworks.com)
Mon, 12 Mar 2001 19:46:34 -0800
Awhile ago there was a short discussion about ways to measure capsaicin.
Besides the two ways mentioned (HPLC and using dilutions with human
tasters), there seems to be a new way. I've pasted some info from the
website below.
The URL for the company is: www.neogen.com
I have not tried this method.
By the way, I saw "Eat the Heat" and thought it was great!
--Mark
Neogen releases rapid test to measure capsaicin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Chuck Bird, Neogen Technical Services Manager
Tim Hendra, Neogen Diagnostic Sales Director
517/372-9200
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2000 - Neogen Corporation's (Nasdaq: NEOG) new
quantitative test for capsaicin provides testers with a quicker, less
expensive alternative to methods currently used.
Capsaicin is the compound that gives peppers their hotness. The compound is
used in a wide range of concentrations in the production of spicy food
products, such as salsa, sauces, seasonings and mixes. More than 300
companies in the United States alone use capsaicin in their products, and
many of them test for capsaicin levels to ensure product consistency and
labeling accuracy.
"Companies that currently test for capsaicin generally run their own high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography units, or
send samples to an outside lab for testing," said Tim Hendra, Neogen's
diagnostic sales director. "The current methods yield accurate, but
relatively slow and expensive results. The start-up costs for HPLC testing,
for example, are in the $50,000 range, and are beyond the reach of many
smaller companies. And, HPLC allows only the testing of a single sample at a
time."
"Neogen's new test, Veratox® for Capsaicin, requires only minor start-up
costs, and allows for the batching of up to 20 samples at a time - a big
time saver that allows companies to move their products much more quickly
through the production cycle," Hendra continued. "This test is an excellent
alternative for smaller companies who could perform simple in-house testing
instead of sending their samples out, and large companies that could benefit
from a much quicker testing turnaround."
Neogen's new test is a competitive direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) that allows the testing of up to 20 samples in about 20 minutes.
Outside laboratories take 1 or 2 days to deliver results, at about $75 a
test. Veratox for Capsaicin delivers results at about $8 per test.
Neogen Corporation develops and markets products and services dedicated to
food and animal safety. The Company's Food Safety Division markets
diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic
modifications, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation
concerns. Neogen's Animal Safety Division markets a complete line of
diagnostics, veterinary instruments, veterinary pharmaceuticals, nutritional
supplements and wound care products.