Nonivamide, also called pelargonic acid vanillylamide or PAVA, is an
organic compound
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...
and a
capsaicinoid. It is an
amide of
pelargonic acid (n-nonanoic acid) and
vanillyl amine. It is present in
chili pepper
Chili peppers, also spelled chile or chilli ( ), are varieties of fruit#Berries, berry-fruit plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. They are used as a spice to ...
s, but is commonly manufactured synthetically. It is more heat-stable than
capsaicin
Capsaicin (8-methyl-''N''-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) (, rarely ) is an active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus ''Capsicum''. It is a potent Irritation, irritant for Mammal, mammals, including humans, and produces ...
.
Nonivamide is used as a
food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives, such as vinegar ( pickling), salt ( salting), smoke ( smoking) and sugar ( crystallization), have been used f ...
to add
pungency to
seasonings,
flavorings, and
spice
In the culinary arts, a spice is any seed, fruit, root, Bark (botany), bark, or other plant substance in a form primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of pl ...
blends. It is also used in the
confectionery
Confectionery is the Art (skill), art of making confections, or sweet foods. Confections are items that are rich in sugar and carbohydrates, although exact definitions are difficult. In general, however, confections are divided into two bro ...
industry to create a hot sensation, and in the pharmaceutical industry in some formulations as a cheaper alternative to capsaicin.
Like capsaicin, it can deter mammals (but not birds or insects) from consuming plants or seeds (e.g. squirrels and bird feeder seeds).
[http://www.aversiontech.com/hot-and-spicy/nonivamide-pava/Retrieved 16 July 2010 ] This is consistent with nonivamide's role as a
TRPV1 ion channel agonist. Mammalian TRPV1 is activated by heat and capsaicin, but the avian form is insensitive to capsaicin.
Nonivamide is used (under the name PAVA) as the payload in "less-lethal munitions" such as the
FN Herstal's
FN 303 projectiles
or as the active ingredient in most
pepper spray
Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, mace, or capsicum spray is a Tear gas, lachrymator (tear gas) product containing as its active ingredient the chemical compound capsaicin, which irritates the eyes with burning ...
s,
[ which may be used as a chemical weapon.][ While irritants commonly cause only "transient lacrimation, ]blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a neurological disorder characterized by intermittent, involuntary spasms and contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle, orbicularis oculi (eyelid) muscles around both eyes. These result in abnormal twitching or blinking, an ...
, superficial pain, and disorientation," their use and misuse also presents serious risks of more severe injury and disability.[
]
Treatment
Nonivamide is not soluble in water, however water will dilute it and wash it away. One study found that milk of magnesia, baby shampoo, 2% lidocaine gel, or milk, did not demonstrate significantly better performance than water, when used on pepper spray.
See also
* PAVA spray
* Phenylacetylrinvanil
References
{{Transient receptor potential channel modulators
Riot control agents
Lachrymatory agents
Capsaicinoids
Phenol ethers