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Chavicine is an alkaloid compound found in black pepper, with the chemical formula C17H19NO3. It is a pungent, greenish, and resinous substance that is isomeric with piperine. Chavicine is responsible for the sharp flavor of freshly ground pepper. When pepper is stored, chavicine slowly transforms into piperine, causing the pepper to lose its pungency. Piperine itself is a constituent of black or white pepper, making up about 5 to 9 percent of the commercial product.12

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  1. piperine
  2. chavicine

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