Lupinine

Lupinine is a bitter tasting quinolizidine alkaloid present in Lupinus species (lupins), plants of the family Fabaceae. The scientific literature contains many reports on the isolation and synthesis of this compound. The characteristically bitter taste of lupin beans, attributable to the alkaloids which they contain, renders them unsuitable for human and animal consumption. However, because lupin beans have potential nutritional value due to their high protein content, efforts have been made to reduce their alkaloid content, as well as to develop "sweet" varieties of Lupinus.