The Chilica-Pod Measures How Hot a Pepper Is, Saving You From Unwanted Pain

Peppers are a delicious way to add a kick to any meal. They can also be deceiving. Even if you get two of the same pepper, like jalapeno, they'll each have a different spice level. This is terrible news for those who like things on the mild side. Now, there's a new device that measures how much capsaicin a pepper has before biting into it.

Developed by a team led by associated Professor Warakorn Limbut, from Thailand's Prince of Songkla University, the Chilica-pod is a pepper-shaped gadget that uses single-use paper-based electrochemical sensor strips with graphene nanoplatelets doped with nitro atoms to boost their electrical conductivity.

The portable device works by adding a dried chili sample to an ethanol-containing solution, which is shaken up and placed on the strip. When the capsaicin mixes with the graphene and nitrogen, it oxidizes and creates an electrical current. The higher the capsaicin concentration, the higher the current. When the unit is plugged into a smartphone running a custom app, it displays the information on the phone’s screen.

During testing, the team found the Chilica-pod accurately measured capsaicin concentrations from 7.5-90 μM in the six samples and could detect down to 0.37 μM in the diluted samples. Despite promising results, the Chilica-Pod isn't quite ready for the consumer market. It still requires the extra step of mixing the sample into a solution and diluting it. Still, it offers an easier and less-expensive alternative to bulky lab-based equipment that offers the same readings.

With more testing and development, the Chilica-pod could be an essential tool for professional chefs and home cooks who want to keep things pleasantly spicy. It could also benefit those who rely on capsaicin for its many health benefits, such as boosting metabolism and lowering blood pressure.