A derivative of capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their fiery flavor, could soon find its way into products as diverse as marine paint, veterinary sutures, and fiber-optic cables. This month, scientists at the Burlington Bio-Medical and Scientific Corp. in Farmingdale, N.Y., announced that they have developed a way to make large quantities of denatonium capsaicinate.
In addition to being painfully spicy, denatonium capsaicinate tastes intensely bitter, says Melvin Blum, director of research and development at Burlington.
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