描述
Hygrine, also known as (+)-hygrine or (+)-N-methyl-2-acetonylpyrrolidine, belongs to alkaloids and derivatives class of compounds. Those are naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic propertiesand is also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids. In addition to carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, alkaloids may also contain oxygen, sulfur and more rarely other elements such as chlorine, bromine, and phosphorus. Hygrine is soluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). Hygrine can be found in pomegranate, which makes hygrine a potential biomarker for the consumption of this food product. Hygrine is a pyrrolidine alkaloid, found mainly in coca leaves (0.2%). It was first isolated by Carl Liebermann in 1889 (along with a related compound cuscohygrine) as an alkaloid accompanying cocaine in coca. Hygrine is extracted as a thick yellow oil, having a pungent taste and odor .