piperine

noun

pip·​er·​ine ˈpi-pə-ˌrēn How to pronounce piperine (audio)
: a white crystalline alkaloid C17H19NO3 that is the chief active constituent of pepper

Examples of piperine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for piperine 

Word History

Etymology

probably from French pipérine, from Latin piper pepper

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piperine was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near piperine

Cite this Entry

“Piperine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piperine. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

piperine

noun
pip·​er·​ine ˈpip-ə-ˌrēn How to pronounce piperine (audio)
: a white crystalline alkaloid C17H19NO3 that is the chief active constituent of pepper

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