Alkaloids are basic organic heterocyclic nitrogenous compounds that are physiologically active in small concentrations. They are generally colorless, crystalline compounds with sharp melting points that are bitter tasting and help plants fight insects and microbes. Alkaloids can be identified using tests with Dragendorff's reagent, Mayer's reagent, Hager's reagent, or Wagner's reagent, which cause precipitates or color changes. Alkaloids are classified based on their origin as true, proto, or pseudo alkaloids and based on their chemical nature such as purine, indole, pyridine, phenanthrene, quinoline, tropane, isoquinoline, and pyridine