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Trigonelline is an alkaloid with chemical formula C7H7NO2. It is an inner salt formed by the addition of a methyl group to the nitrogen atom of niacin. Trigonelline is a product of the metabolism of niacin (vitamin B3) which is excreted in the urine.[1] Trigonelline occurs in many plants, it was isolated from fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum, thus the name)[2], garden peas, hemp seed, oats[3], potatoes, Stachys species, dahlia[4], Strophanthus species[5] and Dichapetalum cymosum[6]. Holtz, Kutscher and Theilmann have recorded its presence in a number of animals.[7] Trigonelline is also found in coffee[8], where it may help to prevent dental caries by preventing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from adhering to teeth.[9] Higher levels of trigonelline is found in robusta coffee. Trigonelline crystallises as a monohydrate from alcohol in hygroscopic prisms, mp. 130 °C or 218 °C (dry, dec.). It is readily soluble in water or warm alcohol, less so in cold alcohol, and slightly so in chloroform or ether. The salts crystallise well, the monohydrochloride, in leaflets, sparingly soluble in dry alcohol. The picrate forms shining prisms, mp. 198-200 °C, soluble in water but sparingly soluble in dry alcohol or ether. The alkaloid forms several aurichlorides: the normal salt, B•HCl•AuCl3, is precipitated when excess of gold chloride is added to the hydrochloride, and after crystallisation from dilute hydrochloric acid containing some gold chloride, has mp. 198 °C. Crystallised from water or very dilute hydrochloric acid, slender needles of B4•3 HAuCl4, mp. 186 °C, are obtained. [edit] References
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