Black pepper oleoresin

Black pepper oleoresin	Last updated: 29/04/2026
(Also known as: Piper nigrum extract; PBO)

Hazard alerts

The following Pesticide Hazard Tricolour (PHT) alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. The alerts for Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) are based on applying the FAO/WHO (Type 1) and the PAN (Type II) criteria to PPDB data. Further details on the HHP indicators are given in the tables below. Neither the PHT nor the HHP hazard alerts take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus they do not represent risk.

PHT: Environmental fate	PHT: Ecotoxicity	PHT: Human health	Highly Hazardous Pesticide
Environmental fate Low alert: Non-persistent Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity Moderate alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Daphnia acute ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute contact ecotoxicity: Moderate; Bees acute oral ecotoxicity: Moderate	Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An oleoresin extracted from the black pepper plant (Piper nigrum L.) which is mainly used for repelling mammalian pests

Example pests/issues controlled

Birds; Dogs; Cats; Ground hogs; Squirrels; Skunks; Raccoons; Ants

Example applications

Non-living areas inside (e.g. garages, cellars, basements); Corn; Sweetcorn; Maize; Non-food crops (e.g. domestic gardens, ornamentals, shrubs)

Efficacy & activity

Efficiacy fully justified with field trial data

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Piperales; Family: Piperaceae

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Pending

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Austria/Netherlands

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Black pepper oleoresin itself is not isomeric, but some of the chemical compounds within it can exhibit isomerism. The key bioactive compound in white pepper is piperine. Piperine is an organic molecule that can exist alongside structural isomer or stereoisomer forms such as isopiperine, chavicine, and piperyline.

Chemical formula

Canonical SMILES

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

2D structure diagram/image available?

General status

Biopesticide type

Insecticide; Repellent

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

1000 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

EFSA 2026 dossier: No significant impurities

Substance origin

Natural; Complex mixture

Mode of action

Repels animals by irritation upon touching or tasting the product

Insecticide behavioural & physiological effects

Substance source

Sourced from Black pepper a flowering vine (Piper nigrum L.)

Mixture composition

Black pepper oleoresin primarily consists of a volatile oil fraction (typically 15-25%) rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (e.g. alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, sabinene, carene, limonene) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (e.g. beta-caryophyllene as a major component, often 20-30% of the oil), alongside the non-volatile fraction dominated by the alkaloid piperine (usually 35-55%). Minor constituents include other alkaloids (e.g. chavicine, piperyline), fixed oils, resins, phenolic compounds (e.g. naringenin, vanillin), trace oxygenated terpenoids and waxes or pigments, contributing to its bioactivity as a biopesticide. Composition varies based on extraction solvent, pepper origin, and processing, but piperine and essential oil components define its core profile.

Uses

Pest control

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

84929-41-9

Alternative/old CAS RN

8002-56-0

EC number

284-524-7

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Molecular mass (Da)

Chemical name

black pepper oleoresin

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

CAS name

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Highly Hazardous Pesticide (HHP)

Type I

Type II

Other status information

FEMA 2845; FLAVIS=16.041

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

Viscous, dark brown coloured liquid with pungent odour and taste

Related substances & organisms

piperine (black pepper dust)

black pepper oil

white pepper powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Bayer AG Crop Science

Example products using this active

BPO ES400

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as a granules, powder or an emulsion for seed treatment

Commercial production

Extracted from dried black peppercorns via steam distillation and solvent extraction using ethyl acetate and hexane

Impact on climate of production and use

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

100

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

10000

n-Heptane

250000

Toluene

250000

Methanol

250000

Ethyl acetate

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

165

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.26 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.1

at 25 °C

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No pKA value between pH 2 and pH 12 - No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

960000

Highly volatile. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

12.0

Moderately volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

53.3

at 20 °C

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

2.6

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

2.55

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

13.1

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

EU 2026 Dossier: Lab studies DT₅₀ (measured) range 1.6-3.1 days, Dt90 (measured) range 5.4-19.8 days, Soils=4

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2250

Anas platyrhynchos

Low

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)

> 188.70

Eisenia foetida corr

Low

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

> 33.6

Folsomia candida corr

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

51.8

Apis mellifera

Moderate

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

50.8

Apis mellifera

Moderate

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles) ER₅₀ g ha⁻¹

> 350

Poecilus cupreus

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

1.45

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.117

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (72 hr ErC₅₀, Static)

1.78

Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

Regulatory Threshold Levels (RTLs)

Note: These RTLs have been calculated using the regulatory approach used in the European Union and based on ecotoxocity values in the PPDB.

Species group

RTL

Notes

Mammals

500

Worst case of acute and chronic mammals

Birds

225

Worst case of acute and chronic birds

Soil organisms

37.74

Worst case of acute and chronic earthworms

Terrestrial plants

No data

No data for non-target plants vegetative vigour and seedling emergence

Pollinators

1.016

Worst case of contact and oral honeybees

Arthropods

No data

No data for parasitic wasps and predatory mites

Fish

0.0145

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic fish

Aquatic invertebrates

0.00117

Worst case of temperate acute and chronic aquatic invertebrates

Aquatic plants

0.178

Worst case of free-floating plants, rooted plants, acute and chronic algae

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

> 5000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

None allocated

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

0.05

Rat SF=100

Dermal penetration studies (%)

default value

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

No significant risks identified or expected

Occupational

No significant risks identified or expected

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

General human health issues

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
No other significant human health issues identified

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Flammable liquid and vapour
Not explosive or oxidising

CLP classification 2013

Health: H319, H317, H315, H304
Handling: H226
Environment: H400, H412

WHO Classification

Not listed

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

black pepper oleoresin

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	29/04/2026
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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