Compound Monograph
Lupanine
Lupanine is a quinolizidine alkaloid responsible for much of the bitterness and toxicity of lupin beans.
Classification
Lupanine is a quinolizidine alkaloid, part of the alkaloids class. Nitrogen-containing, often bitter and physiologically potent compounds — the group behind many of the strongest plant medicines and poisons.
Where Does It Come From? (3)
Lupanine is a naturally occurring quinolizidine alkaloid, found in Lupins, Broom and 1 other source. It is flagged as toxic.
Research & Evidence
Lupanine is a quinolizidine alkaloid found in lupins and related legumes such as broom. It is one of the main “bitter” alkaloids that must be removed by soaking and washing before lupin beans are safe to eat, and it is largely responsible for the toxicity of unprocessed or insufficiently debittered lupins. It is not a recreational compound; interest in it is mostly agricultural and toxicological.
Toxicity & Safety
Lupanine is toxic, with anticholinergic-like and neuromuscular effects; poisoning from improperly prepared bitter lupins can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, rapid heartbeat and, in serious cases, more severe neurological effects. Proper debittering of lupin foods is important to keep alkaloid levels low.