B2629

Betaine

≥98% (perchloric acid titration)

• Synonym(s): (Carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium inner salt, Oxyneurine, Trimethylglycine
• Linear Formula: (CH₃)₃N⁺CH₂COO^-
• CAS Number: 107-43-7
• Molecular Weight: 117.15
• Beilstein: 3537113
• EC Number: 203-490-6
• MDL number: MFCD00012123
• UNSPSC Code: 12352202
• PubChem Substance ID: 24891663
• NACRES: NA.77

Properties

• biological source: sugar beets
• Quality Level: 200
• Assay: ≥98% (perchloric acid titration)
• form: powder or crystals
• mp: 310 °C (dec.)
• solubility: water: 50 mg/mL, clear, colorless to faintly yellow
• storage temp.: 2-8°C
• SMILES string: C[N+](C)(C)CC([O-])=O
• InChI: 1S/C5H11NO2/c1-6(2,3)4-5(7)8/h4H2,1-3H3
• InChI key: KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Betaine is a quaternary ammonium zwitterion, extensively present in animals, plants and microorganisms. It also forms a good dietary source as it is found in wheat, spinach, shellfish and sugar beets. Betaine is a methyl derivative of the amino acid glycine. It is known by different names such as trimethylglycine, glycine betaine, lycine and oxyneurine.

Application

Betaine has been used to study the effects of antioxidants on regrowth from cryopreservation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Apart from betaine taking part in transmethylation, it acts as an organic osmolyte in protecting cells under stress. This is being significantly observed in plants and microorganisms. Betaine is also known to increase the levels of S-adenosylmethionine and thus this might reduce the effects of hepatic steatosis.

End-product of oxidative metabolism of choline, betaine is a general methyl donor, in particular in a minor pathway of methionine biosynthesis. It is used to treat homocystinuria, which is a defect in the major pathway of methionine biosynthesis.

Safety Information

• Storage Class Code: 11 - Combustible Solids
• WGK: WGK 1
• Flash Point(F): Not applicable
• Flash Point(C): Not applicable
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves