Capsaicinoid profiles are not good chemotaxonomic indicators for Capsicum species

Capsaicinoids have been suggested as an aid in identifying Capsicum species. The distribution of seven capsaicinoids and their chemotaxonomic significance were examined within nearly 200 accessions of six Capsicum species. The seven capsaicinoids were separated and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The capsaicinoid profiles were not consistent when examined within a species, therefore they have limited use as a chemotaxonomic indicator. In addition, the generalization that capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are always the major capsaicinoids was not true, exceptions were found for some of the accessions studied.