brucine

[ broo-seen, -sin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, bitter, slightly water-soluble, very poisonous alkaloid, C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4 , obtained from the nux vomica tree Strychnos nux-vomica, and from other species of the same genus, resembling but not as powerful as strychnine in its pharmacological action: used chiefly in the denaturation of alcohol.

brucine

/ -sin; ˈbruːsiːn /

noun

1. bitter poisonous alkaloid resembling strychnine and obtained from the tree Strychnos nuxvomica : used mainly in the denaturation of alcohol. Formula: C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4

Word History and Origins

Origin of brucine¹

1815–25; named after J. Bruce (1730–94), Scottish explorer; -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of brucine¹

C19: named after James Bruce (1730–94), Scottish explorer of Africa

Example Sentences

Gallic acid occurs but seldom in nature; and always united to brucine, veratrine, or lime.

From Project Gutenberg

It is also obtained as a decomposition product of brucine or strychnine, when these alkaloids are distilled with zinc dust.

From Project Gutenberg

Strychnine and brucine exist in combination with igasuric acid discovered by Ludwig in 1873.

From Project Gutenberg

The behaviour of brucine in the subliming cell is described at p. 260.

From Project Gutenberg

It might, therefore, be used to separate strychnine from brucine.

From Project Gutenberg