noun
- a naturally occurring organic compound containing nitrogen, typically found in plants and often having pharmacological effects
Usage: chemistry/biology term; usually bitter-tasting
Examples
- Caffeine is an alkaloid found in coffee beans and tea leaves.
- Morphine is a powerful alkaloid used in pain management.
- The alkaloid quinine was historically used to treat malaria.
- Many alkaloids have been studied for their medicinal properties.
- Nicotine is an alkaloid present in tobacco plants.
- Researchers isolated several alkaloids from the plant extract.