Nonivamide
Encyclopedia
Nonivamide, also called pelargonic acid vanillylamide or PAVA, is an organic compound
and a capsaicinoid. It is an amide
of pelargonic acid (n-nonanoic acid) and vanillyl amine. It is present in chili pepper
s, but is commonly manufactured synthetically. It is more heat-stable than capsaicin
.
Nonivamide is used as a food additive
to add pungency to seasoning
s, flavorings, and spice
blends. It is also used in the confectionary industry to create a hot sensation, and in the pharmaceutical industry in some formulations as a cheaper alternative to capsaicin.
As a potent lachrymatory agent
, nonivamide finds use as the active ingredient of some oleoresin capsicum
-based riot control agents (pepper spray
). Within the UK, nonivamide is used as the PAVA spray
by the British Transport Police
and some other territorial forces, such as Suffolk Police, Wiltshire Police and Northamptonshire Police
, although many still use CS Incapacitant Spray
.
Like capsaicin, it can deter mammals (but not birds or insects, which seem immune) from consuming plants or seeds (e.g. squirrels and bird feeder seeds).
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
and a capsaicinoid. It is an amide
Amide
In chemistry, an amide is an organic compound that contains the functional group consisting of a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom . The term refers both to a class of compounds and a functional group within those compounds. The term amide also refers to deprotonated form of ammonia or an...
of pelargonic acid (n-nonanoic acid) and vanillyl amine. It is present in chili pepper
Chili pepper
Chili pepper is the fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The term in British English and in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries is just chilli without pepper.Chili peppers originated in the Americas...
s, but is commonly manufactured synthetically. It is more heat-stable than capsaicin
Capsaicin
Capsaicin 2CHCH=CH4CONHCH2C6H3-4--3- ) is the active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum. It is an irritant for mammals, including humans, and produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact...
.
Nonivamide is used as a food additive
Food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance.Some additives have been used for centuries; for example, preserving food by pickling , salting, as with bacon, preserving sweets or using sulfur dioxide as in some wines...
to add pungency to seasoning
Seasoning
Seasoning is the process of imparting flavor to, or improving the flavor of, food.- General meaning :Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings"...
s, flavorings, and spice
Spice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
blends. It is also used in the confectionary industry to create a hot sensation, and in the pharmaceutical industry in some formulations as a cheaper alternative to capsaicin.
As a potent lachrymatory agent
Lachrymatory agent
Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator , is a non-lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even blindness...
, nonivamide finds use as the active ingredient of some oleoresin capsicum
Capsicum
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...
-based riot control agents (pepper spray
Pepper spray
Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...
). Within the UK, nonivamide is used as the PAVA spray
PAVA spray
PAVA spray is dispensed from a hand-held canister in a liquid stream that contains a 0.3% solution of PAVA , a synthetic capsaicinoid, in a solvent of aqueous ethanol...
by the British Transport Police
British Transport Police
The British Transport Police is a special police force that polices those railways and light-rail systems in Great Britain for which it has entered into an agreement to provide such services...
and some other territorial forces, such as Suffolk Police, Wiltshire Police and Northamptonshire Police
Northamptonshire Police
Northamptonshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing Northamptonshire in the East Midlands of England.The force area amounts to and has a resident population of 642,708...
, although many still use CS Incapacitant Spray
CS gas
2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
.
Like capsaicin, it can deter mammals (but not birds or insects, which seem immune) from consuming plants or seeds (e.g. squirrels and bird feeder seeds).