Betaine (trimethylglycine)

Betaine (CAS 107-43-7), also known as glycine betaine and TMG (trimethylglycine), is a naturally derived amino acid derivative sourced primarily from sugar beet molasses.

Where is Betaine (trimethylglycine) used?

• Personal care: humectant and osmoprotectant that improves moisture retention in skin and hair care and reduces irritation potential of surfactant-based systems
• Food and nutraceutical: methyl donor in dietary supplements targeting homocysteine metabolism and athletic performance
• Animal feed: methyl group source and osmolyte supporting gut health and lean muscle deposition in poultry and swine; acts as an osmoprotectant under heat or osmotic stress and supplies methyl groups that can partly spare methionine and choline.
• Pharmaceutical: excipient and active ingredient addressing liver function and metabolic support
• It functions as a humectant and osmoprotectant across personal care, food, pharmaceutical, and animal feed applications.
• Used as an antistatic ingredient and viscosity regulator in cosmetics.
• Used in confectionery, dairy products, and meat processing for humectant properties.

Good to know: The anhydrous grade is the more common commercial specification. USP and Ph. Eur. grades are available for pharmaceutical procurement.

Formulation notes

• For cosmetics such as moisture-locking serums and creams, the suggested dosage of betaine anhydrous is 0.2–1.0%.
• In feed, the typical dosage is 0.5–2 kg per tonne.
• For functional foods such as fortified beverages and bars, the suggested dosage of betaine anhydrous is 0.2–0.5%.

Typical specification

• Completely soluble in water.
• Lead content is at most 10 mg/kg.
• Arsenic content is at most 2 mg/kg.

Regulatory status

• In 2017, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that betaine is safe as a novel food at a maximum intake level of 6 mg/kg body weight per day in addition to background diet.
• It is not regulated as dangerous goods for transport under IMDG/ADR.

Frequently asked questions about Betaine (trimethylglycine)

What are the typical quality parameters for betaine anhydrous?

Betaine anhydrous typically has a chloride content of no more than 0.02%, with a tested value of 0.005%, and a trimethylamine content of no more than 50 ppm, with a tested value of 21 ppm.

What is the particle size of betaine anhydrous?

Betaine anhydrous has a mesh size where 98% passes 40 mesh.

How does betaine behave in surfactant products?

Betaine stabilizes foam in surfactant products and increases hair strength and fullness when included in shampoos and hair care products.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.