What Is Taurine?
Taurine, or aminoethyl sulfonic acid, is a sulfur-containing amino acid with the chemical formula C2H7NO3S, CAS No. 107-35-7, and a molecular weight of 125.15. Found abundantly in shellfish, squid, and octopus, it is also present in all human body tissues, with high concentrations in the heart, skeleton, liver, brain, and retina.
Uses of Taurine
Taurine is used in pharmaceuticals, food additives, and moisturizers.
1. Pharmaceuticals and Quasi-Drugs:
In OTC drugs, taurine is classified as a Class III drug. It is used in eye drops and drinks for its potential liver function improvement and muscle fatigue relief. As a prescription drug, “98% Taurine Acids” are indicated for conditions like hyperbilirubinemia and MELAS syndrome. It is also used in pharmaceuticals as stabilizers, buffers, taste enhancers, binders, isotonicizers, excipients, preservatives, and other additives.
2. Food Additives:
Taurine enhances the flavor of processed marine products. It is typically synthesized chemically but can also be extracted from goat bile.
3. Moisturizers:
Used in cosmetics and hair care products, taurine helps retain moisture and protect skin from external stimuli. It is naturally concentrated in the epidermis and helps regulate epidermal moisture.
4. Other Uses:
Additionally, taurine is used in powdered milk, pet food, industrial catalysts, and surfactants.
Principle of Taurine
Taurine binds to bile acids, consuming cholesterol and reportedly improving heart and liver function, restoring eyesight, promoting insulin secretion, and preventing hypertension. It is also found in breast milk and is crucial for infant development.
Other Information on Taurine
1. Taurine Properties:
Taurine is a colorless to white crystal or crystalline powder, slightly soluble in water and almost insoluble in ethanol (99.5%). The pH of a 1.0 g taurine solution in 20 mL of water is 4.1 to 5.6.
2. Legal Classification of Taurine:
Taurine is manufactured in various grades, from pharmaceutical to food additive grade.
3. History of Taurine:
First isolated in 1827 from cattle bile, taurine was named after the Greek word “taurus.” In traditional Chinese medicine, a similar substance has been used for centuries. Post-World War II, Taisho Pharmaceutical in Japan conducted significant research on taurine.