Chem. [f. CONVOLVUL-US + -IN.] A glucoside, a colorless transparent resin, C31H50O16, obtained from the rhizome of Convolvulus Schiedanus, the officinal jalap-root.
Hence Convolvulinic acid, C31H54O18, a product of the action of fixed alkalis upon convolvulin. Convolvulinol, a crystallizable substance, obtained from convolvulinic acid. Convolvulinolic acid, an acid formed by the action of alkaline solutions on convolvulinol.
1850. Pereira, Mat. Med., 1455. Convolvulin, a substance supposed by Maquart to be a vegetable alkali.
1877. Watts, Fownes’ Chem., II. 605. Convolvulin … is a gummy mass having a strong purgative action; resolved by acids and by emulsion into dextrose and convolvulinol, which is converted by alkalis into convolvulinolic acid.
