Pungency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pungency is a sharp and biting sensory impression. Regarding chili peppers, it refers to a scientific equivalent of the Scoville scale of measuring spicyness.
[edit] Mechanism
The pungent feeling caused by capsaicin, piperidine, and allicin is caused by activation of the heat and acidity sensing TRPC ion channel TRPC1 on nociceptors (pain sensing nerve cells).
[edit] See also
- Capsaicin from chili pepper
- Piperidine from black pepper
- Allyl isothiocyanate from mustard, radisheses, horseradish and wasabi
- Allicin from uncooked garlic and onions
- Spice
- Pain and nociception
- Scoville Scale
