Product Description

"Name:Betaine Synonyms:2-(Trimethylammonio)ethanoic acid hydroxide inner salt; (Carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide inner salt; Glycine betaine; Methanaminium; Trimethylammonioacetate Molecular Structure: Molecular Formula:C5H11NO2 Molecular Weight :117.15 CAS Registry Number :107-43-7 EINECS :203-490-6 A betaine thus may be a specific type of zwitterion. Historically the term was reserved for trimethylglycine only. Phosphonium betaines are intermediates in the Wittig reaction. In biological systems, many betaines serve as organic osmolytes, substances synthesised or taken up from the environment by cells for protection against osmotic stress, drought, high salinity or high temperature. Intracellular accumulation of betaines, non-perturbing to enzyme function, protein structure and membrane integrity, permits water retention in cells, thus protecting from the effects of dehydration. It is also a methyl donor of increasing significance. "