Mar., 1917
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I S G C H E M I S T R Y
Charts i and j of Fig. I1 are of interest as representing about 1 j 0 samples taken from t h e herds furnishing one of t h e lowest grade milk supplies of t h e s t a t e a n d of known purity. They indicate what t h e result of lack of attention t o t h e quality of t h e milk supply may result in. S U M MARY
I-The diagrams shown indicate a considerable betterment of t h e milk supply as a result of more rigid enforcement of t h e standards. 11-The f a t standard of 3 per cent is a very easy one t o live u p t o b u t will not result in a betterment of t h e nutritive value of t h e milk. 111-The suggestion in our other paper of this date as t o t h e unbalanced character of t h e ordinary milk standard in effect in t h e United States is further indicated b y these diagrams. IV-As a corollary t o t h e conclusions of both papers i n question, i t would appear t h a t i t is time t h a t t h e chemical standards for milk in t h e United States were placed on a more rational basis. BUREAUOF FOODAND DRUGS DEPARTMENT O F HEALTH,N E W Y O R K
CITY _ _ _ ~ _ _ _
RED PEPPERS B y FRANKM. BOYLES Received November 9, 1916
I n t h e t r a d e t h e hot red peppers are divided into or classed as “capsicums” a n d “chillies.” T h e larger pods are usually called “capsicums” a n d t h e smaller pods, varying in size Erom about l/2 t o 1 l / 2 inches in length, “chillies.” T h e t e r m Cayenne or Cayenne Pepper is applied only t o t h e ground product which is made from either or both t h e capsicums a n d chillies. The capsicums a n d chillies v a r y greatly in flavor a n d pungency. Contrary t o general belief some of t h e capsicums are more pungent t h a n some of t h e chillies. During t h e past few years t h e writer has examined a large number of shipments of commercial grades of red pepper of various varieties, both domestic a n d imported, a n d has been impressed b y t h e number t h a t do not comply with t h e requirements for this class of products as laid down in Circular 19, Office of t h e Secretary, U. S. Department of Agriculture, which circular serves as a standard for t h e Department in t h e enforcement of t h e Food & Drugs Act of 1906. This condition obtains not only with t h e imported peppers b u t also in a striking degree in t h e case of peppers of domestic origin, which are now being produced in such quantities as t o be of considerable commercial importance. Louisiana a n d Texas produce a considerable amount of capsicums and chillies and in South Carolina t h e industry has forged ahead considerably; in 1 9 1 j t h e production in this s t a t e was approximately I j0,oOo lbs. T h e South Carolina capsicums average about z 1 i 2 in. in length and are of a bright red color. They are free of stems, very bright in appearance, carry no extraneous dirt, a n d altogether present a n appearance not excelled by any variety of capsicums. Upon grinding, they produce a bright powder of excellent appearance, equal in flavor a n d pungency t o most a n d much better t h a n many of t h e imported capsicums.
301
The writer has h a d the opportunity of examining samples from a number of shipments of these capsicums, t h e d a t a being compiled in Table I. These capsicums were ground under t h e supervision of t h e writer and t h e samples were composites, representing t h e regular TABLEI - P E R C E N T A G E h-0. Moisture 1 6.02
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Max Min. Av.
7.38 6.65 5.67 4.40 5.37 5.90 6.17 5.31 5.55 5.65 5.60
....
.... ....
5.96 7.08 i.38 4.40 5.90
/iN.rhLYSES
----ASHTotal Insoluble 0.67 5.37 4.82 0.25 5.83 0.48 0.65 7.75 1.20 7.04 0.96 7.14 6.27 0.71 7.19 1.07 7.28 1.10 4.95 0.55 5.51 0.77 0.86 5.82 1.20 5.72 0.73 5.22 0.62 5.35 0.77 5.47 0.77 5.03 1.20 i.i5 0.25 4.82 0.78 5.98
OF SOUTH CAR0LIh.A
Crude Fiber 28.36 27.62 24.45 29.29 27.27 30.48 24.34 25.12 25.27 25.37 28.95 28.37 21.27 22.65 23.27 21.01 20.07 30.48 20.07 25.48
--ETHER Total 12.90 11.90 13.22
14:iz
...
15: i 4 14.85 14.85 13.44 15.10 16.32 16.20 15.98 15.00
...
16.32 11.90 14.55
CAPSICWMS
EXTRACT-
Volatile Non-Vol. 1.15 10.75 0.72 11.18 12.37 0.85 13.79 .... 12.37 1.85 14.87 14.15 .... 0.23 15.01 0.20 14.65 14.70 0 . I5 13.02 0.42 0.32 14.78 0.62 15.70 15.65 0.55 0.49 15.49 0.40 14.60 .... 13.70 1.85 15.70 0.15 10.75 13.92 0.60
....
factory run and were taken a t frequent intervals during t h e grinding. Each sample represents t h e composition of lots of about z zoo lbs. They were not previously sieved because of their apparent freedom from extraneous dirt a n d because a number of preliminary trials showed t h a t only a negligible quantity of dust (from 0 . 0 3 per cent t o 0.08 per cent) could be removed; t h e total ash and acid-insoluble ash in this small amount of dust were 1 4 .j per cent and 4.8 per cent, respectively. All lots were free from stems. These peppers were grown under t h e indirect supervision of t h e Bureau of Plant Industry of t h e U. s. Agricultural Department, from Hungarian Paprika Seed. I n this climate peppers grown from these seed become very much hotter t h a n t h e imported Paprika, so hot indeed t h a t in t h e trade they are classed as Capsicums, a n d when ground constitute Cayenne pepper. This industry was begun in South Carolina about I O years ago. A s t u d y of t h e results obtained on these peppers shows t h a t 29.4 per cent exceed t h e standard of not more t h a n 6 . j per cent for Total Ash as given i n Circular 19, t h e maximum being 7 . 7 5 per cent; t h a t 88.2 per cent exceed t h e standard of not more t h a n 0 . j per cent for HC1-Insoluble Ash; t h a t 2 3 . j per cent contain more t h a n double t h e standard amount of Insoluble Ash; t h a t 2 9 . 4 per cent exceed slightly t h e standard of not more t h a n 28 per cent for Crude Fiber, t h e maximum being 3 0 . 4 8 per cent: and t h a t 76.4 per cent fall below t h e standard for Non-Volatile Ether Extract of not less t h a n I j per cent, t h e lowest being 1 0 . 7 j per cent. These d a t a show t h a t t h e South Carolina peppers, though of a very desirable quality, are, t o a large extent, not in accord with any of t h e requirements of Circular 19. I n Table I1 are given t h e results on 3 j lots of Bombay Capsicums. Each of these samples represents a grind of approximately two tons; t h e samples are composites taken a t frequent intervals. As in t h e case of t h e domestic peppers, these capsicums were not sifted, a preliminary trial having shown t h a t less t h a n I per cent, consisting of organic and inorganic matter, could be removed. I n all of t h e varie-
T H E JOJIRNAL OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
302
Vol. 9 , No. 3
TABLE 11-BOMBAY CAPSICUMS
No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
PER CENT ASH Total Insoluble 5.96 0.35 7.50 0.77 7.41 0.86 5.58 0.32 6.17 0.43 6.16 0.79 9.84 0.95 6.06 0.31 6.14 0.51 5.56 0.74 5.95 0.96
No. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
PER CENT ASH Total Insoluble 8.43 0.65 6.00 0.33 8.72 0.57 6.84 0.65 7.07 0.28 7.08 0.81 6.77 , 0.51 7.07 0.14 7.42 0.71 5.75 0.23 7.28 0.34
No. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 3 -4.
35
.................................................... ..................................................... .......................................................
Maximum of 35 samples.. Minimum of 35 samples.. AWRAOEOf 35 samples
PER CENT ASH Total Insoluble 6.92 0.94 6.96 1.14 6.61 0.82 5.77 0.47 6.00 0.60 7.20 1.30 8.16 1.61 6.80 1.22 7.67 1.75 7.67 1.57 8.25 1.10 6.42 0.51 9.355 1.50 9.35 1.75 5.56 0.14 6.95 0.76
CRUDE
FIBER
... ... ... ...
PER CENT ETHEREXTRACT Total Volatile Non-Vol. 15.28 14.60 15.79 18.71 17.21 .... 16.75 l?:47 0.72 16.37 16.72 0.38 17.87 18.27 0.40
32.30 25.00 28.08
... ... ...
....
...
.... .... ....
20:a7 12.85 18.25 16.10 20.87 12.85 17.22
0.47 0.50 0.50 0.25 0.72 0.25 0.45
....
20: 40 12.35 17.75 15.85 20.40 12.35 16.57
TABLE111-JAPAN CAPSICUMS No. 1 2 3 4 5
P E R CENT ASH Total Insol. No. 4.9 0.20 6 5.7 0.50 7 5.17 0.42 8 6.32 0.78 9 6.07 0.30 Maximum of 19 samples Minimum of 19 samples.. AVERAGEOf 19 Samples..
PER CENT ASH
Total 5.76 5.80 6.20 5.90
Insol. 0.25 0.15 0.26 0.14
No. 10 11 12 13 14
PERCENT ASH Total Insol. 6.75 0.20 6.41 0.15 6.15 0.21 6.61 0.26 5.93 1.17
PER CENT ASH Total Insol. 5.70 0.32 5.77 0.60 6.82 0.33 6.84 0.36 6.32 0.36 6.84 1.17 4.9 0.14 6.05 0.39
No. 15 16 17 18 19
........................................................... .......................................................... ..........................................................
.
............ ............ ............ ............ ............
1 2 3 4 5 6
............ ............
7 Maximum Minimum... AVERAGE
.....
.....
PER CENT ASH Total Insoluble 1.62 6.70 0.85 5.95 4.57 0.50 6.25 1.77 9.40 1.75 5.38 0.35 4.36 0.61 9.4 1.77 4.36 0.35 6.08 1.06
CRUDE
FIBER 29.75 30.45 22.63 25.44 25.56 23:69 30.45 22.63 26.25
PER CENT ETHEREXTRACT Total Volatile Non-volatile 15.75 ... 16.85 25:;l 0.22 25.49 20.97 0.32 20.65 ... 16.16 2i:65
... ... ...
.... .... .... ....
0.15
.... .... ....
... ...
...
.... ....
... ...
.... .... ....
...
...
TABLE V-MISCELLANEOUS
TABLEIV-MOMBASSA CHILLIES NO.
CRUDE PER CENT ETHEREXTRACT FIBER Total Volatile Non-vol. 23.90 16.65 0.30 16.35 23.30 15.97 0.35 15.62 26.64 12.80 22.50 17.03 22.85 l6:iO 0.40 16.00
2i:SO 25.49 15.75 20.06
ties treated in this paper t h e sifting experiments were not performed with a few pounds of t h e product taken from the center of the bale, as is sometimes done, b u t one or more whole bales were sifted on a mechanical sieve. These capsicums usually carry a small amount of stems. I n these 3 5 lots the stems averaged less t h a n ‘/zinch in length. It is seen t h a t 62.8 per cent of the Bombay Capsicums exceed t h e standard for Total Ash, t h e maximum being 9.35 per cent; t h a t 45.7 per cent contain more t h a n 7 per cent Total Ash; t h a t 71.4 per cent exceed t h e standard for HC1-Insoluble Ash, and t h a t 22.7 per cent contain more t h a n I per cent Insoluble Ash. While t h e Crude Fiber and Non-Volatile Ether Extract were not determined on all of these lots still it is apparent t h a t in this variety of Red Peppers t h e Crude Fiber will often exceed t h e standard while t h e Non-Volatile Ether Extract will almost always be higher t h a n t h e standard. Table I11 shows t h e results on 19 lots of Japan Capsicums. On t h e whole these peppers are well within t h e limits of t h e standards b u t occasionally shipments come in which are high both in Total and Insoluble Ash. Notwithstanding t h a t these capsicums generally come within t h e standards, they are not superior either in color, flavor or pungency t o t h e other varieties. These samples are composites and represent grinds of about 5000 lbs. The stems on these in. in length. lots averaged less t h a n The results on 7 lots of Mombassa Chillies are recorded in Table LV. These samples are composites representing grinds of about 3000 lbs. These peppers frequently exceed t h e standard for Total Ash and in t h e majority of lots the Insoluble Ash is very much above 0 . 5 0 per cent. These chillies are practically
CAPSICUMS Korean, highest type. Korean African. highest type.. Korean, highest type.. Korean, highest t y p e . . Niger Niger,highest type Niger Bombay Cherries (highest type) Bright Japan Chillies
PER CENT ASH Total Insol. 7.70 0.60 6.20 0.20 5.05 0.95 6.75 0.75 7.10 0.50 5.72 0.60 5.27 0.62 6.17 1.27 5.35 0.65 5.67 0.82 4.63 0.18
..... .................. .... .... .... .................... ........ .................... 1 ......
CRUDE
28:?6 26.02 25.85 24.20 27.77 22.82 29.20 27.45 24.02
...
PBR CENT
ETHEREXTRACT
FIBER Total
...
... ...
Vol. Non-vol.
.. .. .. .. ...... . . .
2i:fO 20.37 18.65
0145 0.60 0.25
19:07
0:i;
. . . . 0lki ...
1i:iS
lb’45 22125 19.77 18.40 21 96 18:22 15.60 17.55 22.50
always free of stems. Only a negligible amount of inorganic matter could be removed b y sifting, consequently they were not sifted. Table V lists t h e results on a number of different varieties of red peppers which are not so often met in commerce. Some of these lots, it will be noted, are of t h e very highest type obtainable. The Korean Capsicums and so-called Bombay Cherries, which latter are small peppers about the size and shape of a n ordinary cherry (carrying no stem and exceptionally bright a n d free from extraneous dirt), are almost invariably higher t h a n t h e standard in either Total or Insoluble Ash or both. These samples represent t h e factory run on lots of about 2 tons. These peppers were not sieved because of their apparent freedom from dirt and also because experience had shown t h a t practically no mineral matter could be removed by this means. CONCLUSIONS
These d a t a show clearly t h a t t h e present standards for Red Peppers are sadly in need of revision. Indeed, there are very few red peppers entering into commerce to-day t h a t will comply with all of t h e requirements of Circular 19. The standard for Total Ash should be increased t o 7 . 5 0 per cent. The standard for HC1-Insoluble Ash should be increased t o 1.00per cent. The standard for Non-Volatile Ether Extract should be lowered t o 14 per cent. The standard for Crude Fiber should be increased t o 29 per cent. CHEMICAL LABORATORIES, MCCORMICK & COMPANY BALTIMORE, MARYLAND I
