betaine

Be"ta*ine, n. Etym: [From beta, generic name of the beet.] (Chem.) Defn: A nitrogenous base, C5H11NO2, produced artificially, and also occurring naturally in beetroot molasses and its residues, from which it is extracted as a white crystalline substance; -- called also lycine and oxyneurine. It has a sweetish taste.

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