Betaine is an alkaloid with the chemical name N, N, N-trimethylglycine.  

CAS: 107-43-7

Molecular formula: C5H11NO2

What are the benefits of betaine?

Betaine is an alkaline substance with significant water absorption properties and is considered a “methyl donor”

1) Preventing fatty liver

Maintaining a balance in the total amount of unsaturated fatty acids in the human body, accelerating the metabolism of acidic substances, reducing the total amount of cholesterol in the body, increasing the content of very low-density lipoprotein (which transports lipids from the liver to various tissues throughout the body to reduce lipid accumulation in the liver), and blocking the body’s digestion and absorption of body fat; Thus, it can reduce blood lipids, improve the content of lipids and oxygen free radicals in the liver, and have a protective effect on alcoholic liver injury.

2) Preventing cancer

Inhibiting the specificity of carcinogens in the human body, improving the phagocytic ability of macrophages, promoting red blood cell regeneration, enhancing human immunity, and having excellent therapeutic effects on sepsis, liver cancer, and lung cancer

3) Preventing hypertension

Can maintain the reliability of the blood circulation system and prevent cholesterol and body fat from depositing in blood vessels; Providing methyl to assist in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine (homocysteine is an independent risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease), but it does not have a significant effect on the rapid decline of hypertension that has already occurred

4) Anti peptic ulcer and gastrointestinal dysfunction

Promote the regeneration and metabolism of body tissue cells, accelerate the healing of affected areas, and avoid scar formation;

Has strong anti infection and antiviral effects, and has good analgesic and nourishing effects on gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea

5) Regulate osmotic pressure in the body and alleviate stress.

 

What is the difference between natural and synthetic betaine?

The biggest difference between natural betaine and synthetic betaine lies in their sources. The former is extracted from natural substances, such as sugar residue after sugar beet sugar production; Natural betaine is green, pollution-free, and has high purity, but its resources are limited. Synthesis is chemical synthesis, and the synthesis of betaine and hydrochloride betaine are both chemical synthesis betaine products. The synthesis of betaine is not separated during the preparation process, and the by-products of synthesis also enter the packaging.

The synthesis principle of composite betaine is to neutralize chloroacetic acid and alkali to produce sodium chloroacetate, and then react with trimethylamine to produce betaine. After the reaction is complete, concentrate the reaction aqueous solution directly, spray it onto corn cob flour and mix well. After drying, add a flavoring agent and package for sale. Due to the influence of environmental factors such as purity, temperature, and pH of reactants in actual mass production, toxic substances such as chloroacetic acid, sodium chloroacetate, and dichloroacetic acid are inevitably present, which pose potential hazards to animals and humans. A concentration of 76mg/kg of chloroacetic acid can kill rats; The synthesis principle of hydrochloride betaine is to neutralize chloroacetic acid and alkali to produce sodium chloroacetate, then react with trimethylamine to produce betaine, and finally acidify with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrochloride betaine. Similarly, due to the complex separation process, high cost, and high environmental requirements, almost all enterprises recycle and concentrate all reaction products, and there are also many toxic substances inside. The so-called hydrochloride betaine is mainly composed of a large amount of sodium chloride and trimethylamine hydrochloride. However, the reason why the chemical detection of hydrochloride betaine is 100% is due to a loophole in the national standard detection method (interference from trimethylamine hydrochloride on detection). Although the quality of anhydrous betaine has made significant progress, it contains a large amount of salt and its heavy metal content is prone to exceeding the standard.

However, the essence of natural betaine and synthetic betaine is completely the same, with a molecular formula of C5H11NO2. If both products can achieve 100% purity, theoretically they are no different. In reality, neither natural betaine nor synthetic betaine can achieve 100% purity. Therefore, the key to quality lies in the control process. For example, pharmaceutical grade betaine exported to the United States is chemically synthesized, while some natural betaines can only be used as feed additives and do not meet pharmaceutical grade standards. So, the key to the effectiveness of betaine lies in the control of heavy metals, by-products, and toxic and harmful substances, rather than the source.

 

If you have any needs for betaine or betaine hydrochloride, please feel free to contact me at any time. My email is primerawchemicals@gmail.com