Betain is an alkaloid with the chemical name N, N, N-trimethylglycine. Its chemical structure is similar to that of amino acids and it is a quaternary ammonium base.

Betaine widely exists in animals and plants. In plants, wolfberry and leguminous plants all contain betaine. The molasses of beet is the main source of betaine. In animals, octopus, cuttlefish, shrimp, etc. Betaine is found in the liver, spleen, and amniotic fluid of molluscs, as well as vertebrates (including humans).

Betaine was first discovered in Europe. Since the 19th century, beet, like sugar cane, was originally used to extract sucrose. It mainly exists in the molasses of beet sugar, hence its name. , but its efficacy was not gradually recognized until the 1970s.

Betain derivatives

Alkyl betaines are quaternized using aliphatic tertiary amines, that is, N-alkyl-N, N dimethylamine and sodium chloroacetate Obtained by reaction in aqueous solution, it has excellent foaming ability and can make hair soft. It is suitable for formulating shampoo, foam bath, sensitive skin preparations, children's cleanser, etc.

Alkyl amide betaine, the general formula is RCONH(CH2)nC4H8NO2, where R is a carbon number of 12 to 18, n=2, 3, such as lauramidopropyl betaine, coconut oil Amidopropyl betaine, stearamidopropyl betaine. Its performance is significantly improved compared to alkyl betaine: it has excellent solubility and compatibility, excellent foaming and significant thickening properties, low irritation and bactericidal properties, antistatic properties and biodegradability.