polygalic acid

1 definition found

polygalic acid - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Saponin \Sap"o*nin\, n. [L. sapo, -onis soap: cf. F. saponine.]
     (Chem.)
     A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root of
     soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), in the bark of soap bark
     (Quillaja saponaria), etc. It is extracted as a white
     amorphous powder, which produces a soapy lather in solution,
     and produces a local anaesthesia. It is used as a detergent
     and for emulsifying oils. Formerly called also struthiin,
     quillaiin, senegin, polygalic acid, etc. By extension,
     any one of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper
     is the type.
     [1913 Webster + PJC]