Question

Pungency of chilli is due to
A.Capsaicin
B.Paperin
C.Diosgenin
D.Shikorin

Answer 1

Hint: Pungency is the condition in which a material develops strong sharp smell or flavour which in general refer to spiciness of the food materials. This is found in chilli peppers and it gives a good flavour to food in saturated amounts. High concentrated food can be an unpleasant experience.

Complete answer:
Chilli peppers are added to almost every food item. They give a very good flavour to the food and edible items. If there is a lower degree of the spiciness in the food this is known as piquancy. An example of piquant food are curry and pulses.

Many parts of the body like the nasal cavity, genitals or wound can also stimulate the same sensation of heat when exposed to other pungent agents. Pungent agents are chilli peppers, black peppers and ginger which act as spice agents as well.
The mechanism involved in the sensation of the pungent agents is chemesthesis which means the epidermal and mucous membranes are sensitive to the chemical compounds. There are many chemicals which are responsible for initiating the sensations along with the taste receptors.
These chemicals are allyl isocyanate, piperine, allicin and capsaicin, which activates the chemosensitive TRP ion channels and heat thermo-chemosensitive ion channels.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Substances having property of pungency are used as analgesics and flavouring agents in the food items. Whenever we taste a pungent material like chilli peppers, many nerves like which are responsible for the hot sensation, called somatosensory fibres are activated.