– Capsaicin, the chemical that imparts the spicy-hot quality of chili peppers, is produced by the fruits of plants belonging to the Capsicum family. 8-methyl Nonanoic acid is an immediate precursor of capsaicin as well as a by-product of capsaicin degradation.[1] Addition of 5 mM of 8-methyl nonanoic acid significantly increases the yield of capsaicin in both immobilized and freely suspended cells of C. frutescens. [2] Capsaicin has reported antimicrobial properties, however isocapric acid can act as a growth substrate in certain bacterial strains.[3]