The evolution of total capsaicinoids and the individual contents of the five major capsaicinoids: nordihydrocapsaicin,
capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin and homodihydrocapsaicin present in the Cayenne
pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), during fruit ripening, has been established. Capsaicinoids begin to
accumulate gradually in the peppers from the beginning of its development up to a maximum concentration
(1789 lmol/Kg FW). From this time there is initially a sharp decrease in the total capsaicinoid
content (32%), followed by a gradual decrease until day 80 of ripening. The two major capsaicinoids present
in the Cayenne pepper are capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, which represent between 79% and 90%,
respectively, of total capsaicinoids depending on fruit ripening. The relative content of capsaicin differs
from the evolution of the other four capsaicinoids studied