brucine
[broo-seen, -sin]
- a white, crystalline, bitter, slightly water-soluble, very poisonous alkaloid, C23H26N2O4, 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.
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Origin of brucine
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for brucine
Historical Examples
Strychnine is found in them in the proportion of ½–1½ and brucine ½%–1.4%.
The Medicinal Plants of the PhilippinesT. H. Pardo de Tavera
The behaviour of brucine in the subliming cell is described at p. 260.
Poisons: Their Effects and DetectionAlexander Wynter Blyth
It might, therefore, be used to separate strychnine from brucine.
Poisons: Their Effects and DetectionAlexander Wynter Blyth
Brucine is a tertiary diamine, that is, formed by substitution in a double ammonia molecule.
It gives a red colour with brucine, turns the green sulphate of iron black, and with hydrochloric acid dissolves gold.
Aids to Forensic Medicine and ToxicologyW. G. Aitchison Robertson
brucine
- 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
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Word Origin
C19: named after James Bruce (1730–94), Scottish explorer of Africa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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