Unveiling the Multifaceted Potential of <i>Piper nigrum</i> : A Comprehensive Review of Its Chemical Components, Health Benefits, Safety Assessment and Industrial Application

Pepper (<i>Piper nigrum</i> L.) is a traditional and multifunctional Food & Medicine Homology tropical crop that has garnered significant attention due to its rich bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties. However, existing literature lacks a comprehensive exploration of pepper's multifaceted potential value. This study reviews pepper's chemical composition, extraction techniques, health benefits, toxicological assessments, and processing methods. It highlights applications across food, medicinal, and agricultural sectors while identifying emerging directions for future research and development. Pepper is rich in diverse bioactive compounds, primarily obtained through traditional extraction methods and novel extraction techniques, exhibiting a broad spectrum of beneficial effects. It has a high level of safety when used at conventional doses, with no significant immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, or reproductive toxicity. These characteristics hold significant importance for the development of natural health products, functional foods, and sustainable agricultural inputs, thereby offering the pepper industry diverse avenues for development.