What is "sinistrin"

Sinistrin \Sin"is*trin\ (s[i^]n"[i^]s*tr[i^]n), n. [L. sinister left.] (Chem.) A mucilaginous carbohydrate, resembling achro["o]dextrin, extracted from squill as a colorless amorphous substance; -- so called because it is levorotatory.

n. (context organic compound English) A mucilaginous carbohydrate extracted from squill.

Sinistrin is a naturally occurring sugar polymer or polysaccharide, also known as polyfructosane. It belongs to the fructan group, like inulin. As it is the case with similar substances, such as fructans or inulin, sinistrin acts as an energy storage molecule in plants.