TAURINE

Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid for human body and plays an important role in the development of fetal and infant nervous system. 
Taurine can be widely used in medicine, food additives, fluorescent brighteners, organic synthesis and other fields. 
Taurine can also be used as biochemical reagent, wetting agent, pH buffer and so on.

CAS Number: 107-35-7
Molecular Formula: C2H7NO3S
Molecular Weight: 125.15
EINECS Number: 203-483-8

Synonyms: Taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, 107-35-7, Ethanesulfonic acid 2-amino-, L-Taurine, tauphon, 2-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, 2-Sulfoethylamine, aminoethylsulfonic acid, O-Due, 2-aminoethane-1-sulfonic acid, Aminoethanesulfonic acid, taufon, beta-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, Taurina, FEMA No. 3813, Taurinum, NCI-C60606, Taukard, 1EQV5MLY3D, NSC-32428, DTXSID3021304, DTXCID301304, CHEBI:15891, L-Taurine High, L-Taurine 7421, RefChem:6284, L-Taurine High 7422, Taurine (2-Aminoethane-1-sulfonic acid), 203-483-8, 2-azaniumylethanesulfonate, Taurinum [Latin], Taurina [Spanish], Taurine [INN], C2H7NO3S, CCRIS 4721, AI3-18307, 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, EINECS 203-483-8, MFCD00008197, 1-Aminoethane-2-sulfonic acid, NSC32428, β-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, NCGC00015997-06, Aminoethylsulfonic acid (JAN), 2-amino-ethanesulfonic acid, AMINOETHYLSULFONIC ACID [JAN], CAS-107-35-7, SMR000326743, SR-01000076144, 2-AminoethanesulfonicAcid, UNII-1EQV5MLY3D, NSC 32428, Taurine [USP:INN:BAN], Taurineold, Taurate, HSDB 8167, Taurine CRS, Aminoethylsulfonate, b-Aminoethylsulfonate, Taurine (8CI), 2-Aminoethylsulfonate, 2-aminoethyl sulfonate, beta-Aminoethylsulfonate, Tocris-0209, TAURINE [VANDF], 2aminoethanesulfonic acid, TAURINE [FHFI], Taurine ≥99%, b-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, TAURINE [JAN], 2-amino-ethanesulfonicaci, TAURINE [MI], TAURINE [MART.], Lopac-T-0625, 2-aminoethylsulphonic acid, TAURINE [USP-RS], TAURINE [WHO-DD], WLN Z2SWQ, 1-Aminoethane-2-sulfonate, bmse000120, bmse000805, bmse000863, EC 203-483-8, Lopac0_001134, SCHEMBL23068, Taurine ≥98% FG, MLS000859681, MLS001332383, MLS001332384, SCHEMBL313193, Taurine (JP18/USP/INN), CHEMBL239243, GTPL2379, orb1311013, TAURINE [USP MONOGRAPH], SCHEMBL28297002, Taurine ≥99.0% (T), HMS2093L13, HMS2233D19, HMS3263D09, HMS3370J18, Pharmakon1600-01505463, BB_SC-12990, HY-B0351, RKL10149, taurine; 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, Tox21_110277, Tox21_202520, Tox21_501134, BDBM50357220, EBC-03933, HB2658, MSK000067, NSC759150, s2008, STL197941, AKOS005208848, Tox21_110277_1, CCG-205208, DB01956, Ethanesulfonic acid 2-amino- (9CI), FT29795, LP01134, NSC-759150, SDCCGSBI-0051101.P003, Taurine BioUltra ≥99.5% (T), Taurine SAJ first grade ≥98.5%, NCGC00015997-01, NCGC00015997-02, NCGC00015997-03, NCGC00015997-04, NCGC00015997-05, NCGC00015997-07, NCGC00015997-08, NCGC00015997-10, NCGC00015997-20, NCGC00024497-01, NCGC00024497-02, NCGC00024497-03, NCGC00024497-04, NCGC00024497-05, NCGC00260069-01, NCGC00261819-01, AS-13587, DA-67951, NCI60_002814, SBI-0051101.P002, A0295, EU-0101134, NS00009343, EN300-28228, C00245, D00047, D78121, T 0625, AB00443712-07, AB00443712_09, AB00443712_10, F094516, Q207051, SR-01000076144-1, SR-01000076144-3, SR-01000076144-5, Taurine certified reference material TraceCERT®, BRD-K51474575-001-10-4, BRD-K51474575-001-11-2, F2191-0280, Z248489432, Taurine cell culture tested meets USP testing specifications, Taurine United States Pharmacopeia Reference Standard, Taurine Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard Certified Reference Material, TAURINE;2-amino-ethanesulfonicaci;2-sulfoethylamine;Aminoethanesulfonic acid;TURIN;2-AMINOETHANESULFONIC ACID 99.3+%;TATU;TAURINE extrapure CHR

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that is the 2-amino derivative of ethanesulfonic acid. 
Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid derived from methionine and cysteine metabolism. 
An abundant component of fish- and meat-based foods, it has been used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension. 

Taurine has a role as a human metabolite, an antioxidant, a mouse metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite, a glycine receptor agonist, a nutrient and a radical scavenger. 
Taurine is a conjugate acid of a 2-aminoethanesulfonate. 
Taurine is a tautomer of a taurine zwitterion.

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid with simple structure in animals. 
Its chemical name is 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. 
Its molecular formula is C2H7NO3S and its molecular weight is 125.15. 

Taurine is odorless and slightly sour. 
Taurines dilute solution is neutral and stable to heat. 
It combines with cholic acid in human and animal bile and exists in the form of binding; In brain, ovary, heart, liver, milk, pineal gland, pituitary, retina, adrenal gland and other tissues, it exists in free form, with a total amount of 12-18g, but does not participate in protein synthesis. 

Taurine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing organic compound that is classified as a sulfonic acid rather than a true amino acid. 
Taurine is chemically known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid and is widely distributed in animal tissues, especially in the brain, heart, retina, and skeletal muscle. 
Taurine is a white, crystalline, water-soluble solid that is not incorporated into proteins but plays essential physiological roles.

Biologically, taurine is involved in the regulation of cell volume, osmoregulation, and membrane stabilization. 
Taurine plays a critical role in bile acid conjugation, which is necessary for fat digestion and absorption. 
Taurine also modulates calcium signaling and neurotransmission, contributing to normal nervous system and muscle function.

Taurine is considered a conditionally essential nutrient, meaning that although the human body can synthesize it from cysteine and methionine, dietary intake becomes important under certain conditions. 
Infants, premature babies, and individuals with liver, kidney, or metabolic disorders may have limited taurine synthesis. 
For this reason, taurine is often added to infant formulas and specialized medical nutrition products.

In the central nervous system, taurine acts as a neuromodulator with inhibitory properties similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). 
Taurine helps protect neurons against excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. 
These functions contribute to its neuroprotective and cytoprotective effects.

From a metabolic perspective, taurine supports cardiovascular health by regulating blood pressure, improving lipid metabolism, and reducing oxidative damage. 
Taurine contributes to proper heart muscle contraction and helps maintain electrolyte balance. 
Taurine deficiency has been associated with cardiomyopathy in both animals and humans.

Chemically and toxicologically, taurine is considered very safe with low acute and chronic toxicity. 
Taurine is not classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic. 
Because of its favorable safety profile, taurine is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement applications worldwide.

Taurine is an organic compounds that widely existing in animal tissues. 
It is a sulfur amino acid, but not being used for protein synthesis. 
Taurine is rich in the brain, breasts, gallbladder and kidney. 

Taurine is an essential amino acid in the pre-term and newborn infants of human. 
It has various kinds of physiological functions including being as a neurotransmitter in the brain, conjugation of bile acids, anti-oxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, modulation of calcium signaling, regulating the cardiovascular function as well as the development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system. 

Taurine can be manufactured through the ammonolysis of isethionic acid or the reaction of aziridine with sulfurous acid. 
Because of its highly important physiological role, it can be supplied to energy drinks. 
Taurine can also be used in cosmetics to maintain skin hydration, and used in some contact lens solution.

The combination of taurine and cholic acid can increase biliary permeability and is related to bile backflow; this product can also reduce cholesterol levels in the liver and reduce the formation of cholesterol calculus.
Taurine can lower the body temperature by effects on the central 5-HT system or catecholamine system.
After injecting this product, it shows the effects including reducing blood pressure, slowing down heart rate, regulating vascular tension and so on.

Taurine can regulate the combination of Ca++ in cardiac myocytes and can reverse the adverse effects of Ca++ on the myocardium.
Taurine directly affects the insulin receptor of the liver and muscle cell membrane and has the effect of insulin-like hypoglycemic action.
Loosening up skeletal muscle, reversing myotonia and fighting fatigue after exercise. 

Local application of this product can reduce the increased pressure in the eyeball caused by prostaglandin; there are still nutritional effects. 
Clinical use at acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, fatty liver, cholecystitis, etc.,as well as use in bronchitis, tonsillitis, ophthalmia and other infectious diseases. 
Taurine can be tried for cold, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, arthritis, myotonia, etc.

Taurine is a naturally occurring organic compound with the chemical formula C2H7NO3S, and is a non-proteinogenic amino sulfonic acid widely distributed in mammalian tissues and organs.
Structurally, by containing a sulfonic acid group instead of a carboxylic acid group, it is not involved in protein synthesis but is still usually referred to as an amino acid.
As non-proteinogenic amino sulfonic acid, it is not encoded by the genetic code and is distinguished from the protein-building α-amino acids.

As the conditionally essential amino acid of the human body, it is a kind of β- sulphamic acid. 
In mammalian tissues, Taurine is a metabolite of methionine and cystine. 
Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827, hence the name taurine. 

Taurine commonly exists in the form of free amino acids in various tissues of animals, but not goes into proteins without combination. 
Taurine is rarely found in plants. Early on, people had considered it a bile acid binding agent of taurocholic combined with cholic acid. 
However, recent studies have shown that taurine has many important biological functions apart from the above mentioned forming taurocholic acid and participating in the digestion and absorption of lipids.

It is important nutrients for normal development and function of cranial nerve to play the role in adjusting a variety of nerve cells of the central nervous system; taurine in retina accounts for 40% to 50% of total free amino acid, which is necessary for maintaining the structure and function of photoreceptor cells; affecting the myocardial contracts dint, regulating calcium metabolism, controlling arrhythmia, lowering blood pressure, etc; maintaining cellular antioxidant activity to protect the tissues from damaging free radicals; decreasing platelet aggregation and so on. 
As the metabolites containing sulphur amino acids, mammals have different abilities to synthesize taurine: The synthetic ability of rats and dogs is stronger, the synthetic ability of human and primate is lower, while that of kits and human infants is very low. 

Taurine in the infant mainly comes from the diet, so it is recommended to supplement the taurine in the baby's diet. 
Foods with a higher content of taurine include conch, clam, mussel, oyster, squid and other shellfish food, which chould be up to 500 ~ 900mg/100g in the table part; the content in fish is comparably different; the content in poultry and offal is also rich; the content in human milk is higher than cow milk; taurine is not found in eggs and vegetable food.

Melting point: >300 °C (lit.)
Density: 1.00 g/mL at 20 °C
Refractive index: 1.5130 (estimated)
FEMA: 3813 (taurine)
Storage temperature: 2–8 °C
Solubility: H₂O 0.5 M at 20 °C, clear, colorless
Form: crystals or crystalline powder
pKa: 1.5 at 25 °C
Color: white
pH: 4.5–6.0 at 25 °C (0.5 M in H₂O)
Odor: bland
Biological source: synthetic
Water solubility: 5–10 g/100 mL at 23.5 °C
λmax: 260 nm (Amax 0.006); 280 nm (Amax 0.005)
Merck: 14,9074
JECFA number: 1435
BRN: 1751215
Stability: stable; incompatible with strong oxidizing agents
Cosmetics ingredients functions: buffering
InChIKey: XOAAWQZATWQOTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
LogP: −3.36 to −1.2 at 20 °C

Taurine occurs naturally in foods with protein, such as meat or fish. The human body uses taurine for actions in cells. 
One example is that taurine is used for energy production.
Taurine also helps the body process bile acid and balance fluids, salts and minerals, among other actions.

While taurine in energy drinks may not cause a problem, the other ingredients in these beverages could. 
Energy drinks may include caffeine, sugar and other ingredients such as herbal extracts.
Because of that, the safety of these drinks is less clear.

Adults with no underlying health conditions often can tolerate energy drinks.
But in some people, these types of drinks cause dehydration and problems falling asleep. 
They also can cause a person to feel nervous and tense. 

Most of these issues seem to be from the caffeine in the energy drinks.
Because of the caffeine, children or teens should not drink energy drinks, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Consider tracking the amount of caffeine and sugar from your energy drinks. 

Taurine can help you avoid calories and the challenges from too much caffeine.
Taurine is not regarded as an essential human dietary nutrient and has not been assigned recommended intake levels.
High-quality clinical studies to determine possible effects of taurine in the body or following dietary supplementation are absent from the literature.

Preliminary human studies on the possible effects of taurine supplementation have been inadequate due to low subject numbers, inconsistent designs, and variable doses.
Taurine, which has chemistry similar to other amino acids, is important in several of the body's metabolic processes. 
Taurine is thought to have antioxidant properties. 

But little is known about the effects of long-term supplemental taurine use.
In addition to the intake of taurine directly from the diet, the animal body can also biosynthesis in the liver. 
The intermediate product of methionine and cysteine metabolism, cysteine, is decarboxylated to taurine by cysteine decarboxylase (CSAD), and then oxidized to taurine. 
CSAD is considered to be the rate limiting enzyme of taurine biosynthesis in mammals, and compared with other mammals, the activity of human CSAD is lower, which may be due to the low taurine synthesis ability in human body. 

Taurine can participate in the formation of taurocholic acid and hydroxyethyl sulfonic acid after decomposition in vivo. 
The amount of taurine required depends on cholic acid binding capacity and muscle content.
Taurine occurs naturally in fish and meat.

The mean daily intake from omnivore diets was determined to be around 58 mg (range 9–372 mg), and to be low or negligible from a vegan diet.
Typical taurine consumption in the American diet is about 123–178 mg per day.
Taurine is partially destroyed by heat in processes such as baking and boiling. 

This is a concern for cat food, as cats have a dietary requirement for taurine and can easily become deficient. 
Either raw feeding or supplementing taurine can satisfy this requirement.
Both lysine and taurine can mask the metallic flavor of potassium chloride, a salt substitute.

Taurine is present in breast milk, and has been added to many infant formulas as a measure of prudence since the early 1980s. 
However, this practice has never been rigorously studied, and as such it has yet to be proven to be necessary, or even beneficial.
Taurine is an organic osmotic regulator. 

Taurine not only participates in the regulation of cell volume, but also provides the basis for the formation of bile salts. 
Taurine also plays an important role in the modulation of intracellular free calcium concentration. 
Although taurine is a special amino acid not included in proteins, taurine is the most abundant amino acid in brain, retina and muscle tissue. 

Taurine is widely used, such as in the function of central nervous system, cell protection, cardiomyopathy, renal insufficiency, abnormal development of renal function and retinal nerve injury. 
Almost all eye tissues contain taurine. The quantitative analysis of rat eye tissue extract showed that taurine was the most abundant amino acid in retina, vitreous, lens, cornea, iris and ciliary body. 
Many studies have found that taurine is an active substance that regulates the normal physiological activities of the body. 

Taurine has the functions of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, maintaining the osmotic pressure balance of the body, maintaining normal visual function, regulating the calcium balance of cells, reducing blood sugar, regulating nerve conduction, participating in endocrine activities, regulating lipid digestion and absorption, increasing the contractility of the heart, improving the immune capacity of the body, and enhancing the antioxidant capacity of cell membrane Protect a wide range of biological functions such as cardiomyocytes.
Taurine has proven beneficial in preventing retinal degeneration and the prevention and treatment of taurine-deficiency dilated cardiomyopathy in cats. 

Although modern commercial feline diets have added taurine, some cats still develop taurine-deficiency associated dilated cardiomyopathy. 
Taurine may also be of benefit in taurine (±carnitine) deficient cardiomyopathy in American Cocker Spaniels and certain other breeds such as, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Dalmations, Portuguese Water Dogs, and English Bulldogs. 
Preliminary studies have shown evidence that it may be useful as adjunctive treatment for cardiac disease in animals even if taurine deficiency is not present. 

Because of its low toxicity, some have suggested it be tried for a multitude of conditions in humans and animals; unfortunately, little scientific evidence exists for these uses.
Taurine is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine. 
Taurine is named after Latin taurus, meaning bull or ox, as it was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by German scientists Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin.

Although taurine is abundant in human organs, it is not an essential human dietary nutrient and is not included among nutrients with a recommended intake level.
Among the diverse pathways by which natural taurine can be biosynthesized, its human pathways (primarily in the human liver) are from cysteine and/or methionine.
Taurine is commonly sold as a dietary supplement, but there is no good clinical evidence that taurine supplements provide any benefit to human health.

Taurine is used as a food additive to meet essential dietary intake levels for cats, and supplemental dietary support for dogs and poultry.
Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by German scientists Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin.

Another German scientist Von H. Demarcay first used its common chemical name Taurine in 1838, derived from the Latin taurus (cognate to Ancient Greek ταῦρος, taûros) meaning bull or ox.
Taurine was subsequently identified in human bile in 1846 by Edmund Ronalds.

Uses:
Taurine is an organic acid found in animal tissues and is a major constituent of bile. 
Taurine has many biological roles such as conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization and modulation of calcium signaling. 
Taurine is an amino acid nutritional supplement that is used to treat taurine-deficiency diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease.

Taurine is widely used in dietary supplements to support energy metabolism, cardiovascular health, and muscle function. 
It is a common ingredient in energy drinks and sports nutrition products because it helps regulate electrolyte balance and reduce exercise-induced muscle fatigue. 
Taurine supplementation is often marketed for improving endurance, recovery, and overall physical performance.

In clinical and medical nutrition, taurine is added to infant formulas and parenteral nutrition solutions. 
Newborns, especially premature infants, have limited ability to synthesize taurine, making dietary supplementation essential for proper neurological and retinal development. 
Taurine is also used in specialized medical foods for patients with metabolic or liver disorders.

Taurine is used in pharmaceutical formulations for its protective effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems. 
It has been investigated as an adjunct therapy in conditions such as heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and epilepsy. 
Its role in calcium regulation and antioxidant defense underlies many of these therapeutic applications.

In the food industry, taurine is used as a functional ingredient in fortified foods and beverages. 
Taurine is valued for its stability, water solubility, and compatibility with a wide range of formulations. 
Taurine does not impart significant taste at typical use levels, making it suitable for consumer products.

In animal nutrition, taurine is an essential additive in pet food, especially for cats. 
Cats cannot synthesize taurine efficiently, and deficiency can lead to retinal degeneration and cardiomyopathy. 
Therefore, taurine supplementation is mandatory in commercial feline diets.

In research and laboratory settings, taurine is used as a biochemical standard and research reagent. 
Taurine is employed in studies related to neurotransmission, oxidative stress, osmoregulation, and cell signaling. 
Taurine is also used in cell culture systems to support normal cellular function.

Taurine is used in ophthalmic products and eye-care research due to its high concentration in the retina and its role in protecting retinal cells. 
It supports photoreceptor stability and helps prevent oxidative damage in ocular tissues. 
For this reason, taurine is studied in relation to retinal degeneration and vision support.

In metabolic and endocrine research, taurine is used to study glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity. 
Taurine has been investigated for its potential role in improving lipid profiles and reducing inflammation in metabolic syndrome. 
These properties make taurine relevant in diabetes and obesity-related research.

Taurine is used in cosmetic and personal care products for its moisturizing and protective properties. 
Taurine helps maintain cell hydration and supports skin barrier function under stress conditions. 
Taurine is therefore included in formulations aimed at anti-fatigue and skin revitalization effects.

In neuroscience research, taurine is applied as a tool compound to study inhibitory neurotransmission. 
Taurine is used to investigate neurodevelopment, neuroprotection, and synaptic regulation. 
Taurine’s interaction with GABAergic and glycinergic systems makes it valuable in brain research models.

Taurine is also used in veterinary medicine beyond pet nutrition, particularly in animal health supplements. 
It supports cardiac function, reproduction, and growth in various animal species. 
These applications are especially important in intensive farming and clinical veterinary care.

In industrial and analytical laboratories, taurine is used as a reference standard and quality-control material. 
Taurine is applied in chromatography, spectroscopy, and nutritional analysis to validate analytical methods. 
Its high purity and stability make it suitable for routine laboratory use.

Safety Profile:
Experimental reproductive effects, Mutation data reported.
When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of SOx and NOx.
According to the European Food Safety Authority, taurine is "considered to be a skin and eye irritant and skin sensitiser, and to be hazardous if inhaled"; it may be safe to consume up to 6 grams of taurine per day.

Other sources indicate that taurine is safe for supplemental intake in normal healthy adults at up to 3 grams per day.
A 2008 review found no documented reports of negative or positive health effects associated with the amount of taurine used in energy drinks, concluding, "The amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver either therapeutic benefits or adverse events".

Taurine has a very low hazard profile and is generally regarded as safe for human consumption. 
Acute toxicity is extremely low, and no serious adverse effects have been observed at typical dietary or supplemental intake levels. 
It is not classified as toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic.

At very high doses, taurine may cause mild and transient gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea. 
These effects are uncommon and usually resolve after reducing intake. 
No long-term organ toxicity has been demonstrated in healthy individuals.

Taurine does not significantly interact with major drug-metabolizing enzymes and has a low potential for harmful drug interactions. 
However, caution is advised when used in combination with stimulants, particularly in energy drinks, due to possible additive effects on the cardiovascular system. 
Individuals with underlying medical conditions should use supplements under medical supervision.