Where is Piperine Found?
Piperine is primarily found in the fruit of the pepper vine, piper nigrum. . The pepper vine is indigenous to the Malabar Coast of India, but is also grown in other parts of southern Asia, South America and even Africa. The plant is known for its broad shiny green leaves, and small flowers. The piperine is found on five millimeter spikes known as peppercorns. The Piperine can be obtained from the oleoresin in the peppercorns. The piperine gives these peppercorns their hot, biting, and very pungent taste. Piperine makes up about 5-7% of the peppercorns, and although it is only found in nature with a 98% purity it is a very abundant chemical. Piperine can also be found in other vegetables and spices such as the famous hot jalapeno peppers. However, for chemical and medical use piperine is produced in the laboratory.
