betaine

be·ta·ine  (bt-n, -n)

n.

1. A sweet crystalline alkaloid, C₅H₁₁NO₂, occurring in sugar beets and other plants and used in the treatment of certain metabolic disorders.

2. Any of several alkaloids with similar structures.

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[Latin bta, beet + -ine.]

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betaine [ˈbiːtəˌiːn -ɪn bɪˈteɪiːn -ɪn]

n

1. (Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a sweet-tasting alkaloid that occurs in the sugar beet and other plants and in animals. Formula: C₅H₁₁NO₂

2. (Chemistry) (plural) a group of chemical compounds that resemble betaine and are slightly basic zwitterions

[from New Latin Bēta beet + -ine²]

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betaine  (bt-n, -n)

1. Any of a class of organic salts that are derived from amino acids and have a cationic (positively charged) component that consists of a nitrogen atom attached to three methyl (CH₃) groups.

2. A salt of this class that is a sweet crystalline alkaloid first found in sugar beets but also widely occurring in other plants and in animals. Betaine is used in the treatment of muscular weakness and degeneration. Chemical formula: C₅H₁₁NO₂.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

betaine - a sweet tasting alkaloid that occurs in sugar beets alkaloid - natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants