Question

Background:

I’d like to make an extract of capsaicin using the following ingredients: Capsicum powder, Fractionated coconut MCT oil, apple cider vinegar, and saline. The idea is for the capsaicin to undergo absorption from the capsicum and into the oil to create an extract. The apple cider vinegar will be used as an emulsifier so I can mix the solution with saline. I chose these specific ingredients because they work well with my particular use case, but let me know if I should use a different solvent and or emulsifier (I'd like it to be food safe, and I'd like to avoid alcohol.)

Proposed process:
1. Combine MCT oil and Capsicum powder and heat to around to around 250° F and let cool
2. Filter out the leftover solids using a coffee filter
3. Combine with apple cider vinegar and saline. Questions (in order of importance):
1. Could this combination of ingredients react to create unwanted chemical byproducts?
2. Is capsaicin soluble in Fractionated coconut MCT oil, or will I need to use a different kind of oil?
3. Will this proposed process actually "extract" the capsaicin from the capsicum powder, or is additional processing required?
4. How should I determine the ratio of ingredients?
5. How long should I keep the oil & Capsaicin over heat?
6. I used the term "extract" to describe this, but is it actually a decoction, infusion or something else?
7. Any other tips, suggestions, warnings?
I know just enough about chemistry to know that I should probably ask questions before giving this a go.

Answer 1

Creating a capsaicin extract involves dissolving capsaicin into Fractionated coconut MCT oil, which is an appropriate solvent, and attempting to mix it with saline using apple cider vinegar as an emulsifier, although a more effective emulsifier might be required. The mixture should be heated but monitored carefully, and proper safety precautions should be taken during the process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process of making an extract with capsaicin involves dissolving the capsaicin present in capsicum powder into Fractionated coconut MCT oil and then possibly using apple cider vinegar as an emulsifier. Capsaicin is soluble in oils, and hence, coconut MCT oil should be an appropriate solvent. However, without proper emulsification, mixing this oil with an aqueous substance like saline might not result in a stable mixture. Apple cider vinegar, which contains acetic acid, may not act as an efficient emulsifier for this purpose, and you may need a food-grade emulsifier specifically designed for oil-water mixtures.

As for the chemical byproducts, without the presence of extreme conditions or reactive agents, it's unlikely that the components you listed would react with each other to create hazardous byproducts during the extraction and mixing process at the temperature proposed. Yet, it's always wise to be cautious and conduct such processes in well-ventilated areas or using protective equipment if there's any risk of irritation from vapors or splashes.

Determining the ratio of ingredients largely depends on the desired concentration of capsaicin in the final extract. This requires experimentation and testing. As for the extraction time, maintain the heat long enough to dissolve the capsaicin into the oil, which might range from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the concentration of the capsicum powder. Cooling and filtering will follow to remove solid particles.

Technically, this process is an extraction because you are separating a specific active component, capsaicin, from the capsicum powder; it's not a decoction or infusion which are techniques commonly associated with extracting substances into water or another solvent by boiling or steeping.

Warnings: Capsaicin can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, so proper safety equipment such as gloves and goggles should be used. Also, ensure the final product is used in a manner consistent with capsaicin's strength and potential effects.