Picrotoxin, also known as cocculin, appears as white to light beige crystalline material. It is
isolated from Cocculus indicus (Fructus cocculi), fishberries, or Indian berries. Picrotoxin is a
colourless, flexible, shining, prismatic crystals, or a micro-crystalline powder. It is odourless,
has a very bitter taste, and is permanent in the air. Picrotoxin is soluble in hot water,
readily soluble in strong ammonia water, and in aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide,
soluble in dilute acids, and alkalis as well as in glacial acetic acid, sparingly soluble in
chloroform and very slightly soluble in cold water and alcohol. Picrotoxin is stable under
normal temperatures and pressures and decompose when exposed to light. Picrotoxin is
incompatible with strong oxidising agents, strong acids, strong bases, light.
