The word "aletrin" is a bit of an oddball. It is pronounced /əˈlɛtrɪn/ and despite having "ale" in its spelling, it does not have anything to do with the alcoholic beverage. It is actually a noun that refers to a type of insecticide that is derived from the seeds of a plant called "Alete" (hence the "ale" in its name). The spelling of "aletrin" may seem peculiar, but it is a result of the word being created from the plant's scientific name, Alete triandra.
Aletrin is a compound referred to as a yellow viscous substance, typically derived from the seeds of the yellow mustard plant (Sinapis alba), as well as other similar species belonging to the Brassica family. It is primarily used as a visual marker or tracer substance, commonly added to foods and beverages to detect the presence of potentially harmful contaminants. Aletrin is recognized for its bright yellow color, making it visibly noticeable even in minute quantities.
The utilization of aletrin dates back centuries, with historical records tracing its use as an alarming agent in ancient Chinese, Persian, and European cultures. Due to its visible nature, aletrin has played a vital role in ensuring food safety for many years. By being mixed into a product during the manufacturing process, aletrin acts as an indicator, allowing inspectors and consumers to easily identify adulterated or contaminated items.
Furthermore, aletrin has gained importance in industrial sectors apart from the food industry, finding applications in the textile and paper manufacturing processes as well. Its ability to blend with various materials makes it an effective dyeing assistant, aiding in coloring fabrics and papers.
As aletrin is primarily used as an indicator, it is important to note that it is not consumed directly as a food or drink, but rather serves as a marker for quality control purposes.
A dark brown bitter powder, a concentration product obtained from the root of Aletris farinosa; dose, gr. 1-3 (0.06-0.2).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.