Betaine Anhydrous, also widely known as Trimethylglycine (TMG) or glycine betaine, is a naturally derived zwitterionic quaternary ammonium compound with the CAS number 107-43-7. As a water-free crystalline powder, it exists naturally in sugar beets, spinach, quinoa and marine organisms, and can be mass-produced either by extraction from sugar beet molasses or controlled chemical synthesis with high purification standardsAlibaba.

The molecular formula of anhydrous betaine is C ₅ H ₁₁ NO ₂, with a molecular weight of 117.15 g/mol. Compared with betaine hydrochloride, anhydrous betaine stands out due to its non irritating, neutral properties, good stability, and wider compatibility in the feed, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, and fermentation industries.

1. Basic Physical & Chemical Specifications of Anhydrous Betaine

1.1 Core Physicochemical Properties

• Appearance: White crystalline powder or granular crystal, slight sweet taste, highly hygroscopic
• Solubility: Extremely soluble in water, soluble in methanol and ethanol, barely soluble in ether and other non-polar organic solvents
• Melting point: Decomposes at around 293℃, stable under normal processing temperature
• pH value of aqueous solution: Neutral to weakly acidic, no corrosivity to equipment and raw materials
• Purity mainstream grades: Feed grade ≥98%, food/cosmetic/pharma grade ≥99.0% on dry basis抖音百科

1.2 Strict Quality Control Indicators (Premium Grade)

High-purity anhydrous betaine produced by qualified manufacturers features low trimethylamine residue, free-flowing texture and anti-caking performance, effectively avoiding raw material agglomeration during long-term transportation and storage.

2. Core Biological Mechanisms Underlying Its Functions

Two fundamental biological attributes support all downstream application effects of anhydrous betaine:

2.1 Efficient Methyl Donor

It serves as a cost-effective natural methyl donor in metabolic circulation, participating in DNA synthesis, homocysteine degradation and neurotransmitter production. In animal breeding, it can partially replace expensive methionine and choline chloride to cut overall feed formula costs significantly. For human health supplements, it optimizes liver methylation metabolism and reduces cardiovascular risks caused by excessive homocysteine accumulation.

2.2 Powerful Cellular Osmoprotectant (Osmolyte)

Anhydrous betaine balances intracellular and extracellular osmotic pressure under stress conditions. It protects cell membranes, enzymes and protein structures from damage triggered by high temperature, cold shock, salinity, dehydration and physiological stress. This mechanism is the key to its anti-stress effect in aquaculture, livestock breeding and skincare formulations.

3. Multi-Industry Application Scenarios & Practical Benefits

3.1 Animal Feed Industry (Largest Consumption Field)

Feed-grade anhydrous betaine is a high-value nutritional feed additive for livestock, poultry and aquatic products, with verified practical benefits:

1. Livestock (Pigs)Reduce backfat thickness, improve lean meat rate and carcass quality; boost feed intake of weaned piglets, relieve weaning stress and increase daily weight gain; protect gastrointestinal tract under cold/heat stress to lower diarrhea incidence.
2. Poultry (Chicken, Duck)Enhance broiler breast muscle weight and carcass uniformity, improve egg-laying rate for laying hens, and reduce heat stress mortality in high-temperature seasons. Meanwhile, it stabilizes vitamin A and vitamin B in feed to prevent nutrient failure during granulation and storage.
3. Aquaculture (Fish, Shrimp, Crab)Act as a strong feeding attractant to raise feed palatability and feed conversion ratio; alleviate osmotic pressure shock for fry and post-larvae shrimp during water salinity changes, greatly improve survival rate of juvenile aquatic animals; reduce stress-induced slow growth and disease susceptibility.

Compared with betaine hydrochloride, anhydrous betaine has no gastric mucosal irritation for animals and will not cause excessive acid load in feed formulas.

3.2 Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry

In cosmetic raw materials (INCI name: Betaine), high-purity anhydrous betaine functions as a mild humectant and anti-irritation agent, widely added to facial creams, serums, shampoos, body washes and sensitive skincare products:

• Deeply hydrate stratum corneum by locking water inside skin cells, maintain long-lasting moisturizing effect without sticky feeling like glycerin;
• Repair skin barrier, relieve irritation caused by surfactants, alcohol and acid ingredients, ideal for sensitive and fragile skin care;
• Soften hair cuticles, reduce scalp itchiness and static, make hair smooth, shiny and easy to comb;
• Stabilize formula system and improve product texture and skin-fitting sensation.

3.3 Food, Beverage & Nutritional Supplements

Food-grade anhydrous betaine complies with food additive regulations globally:

1. Functional health food and sports nutrition supplements: Support liver fat metabolism to prevent fatty liver, protect kidney function, improve endurance during intense exercise and accelerate post-workout physical recovery;
2. Functional drinks, low-calorie food: Use its mild sweet taste as a natural flavor modifier;
3. Fermentation industry: Optimize microbial cell osmotic balance, increase the yield of amino acids, vitamins and fermented products, improve fermentation stability.

3.4 Pharmaceutical Field

Pharmaceutical-grade anhydrous betaine meets EP/USP pharmacopoeia standards: applied in liver-protecting preparations, lipid-regulating health medicines, ophthalmic adjuvants for eyesight protection, and auxiliary materials for cardiovascular health products to assist in lowering blood lipid and preventing atherosclerosis. It is also used as a protective agent in biological laboratory PCR reagent configurations.

4. Advantages of Anhydrous Betaine vs Other Betaine Products

1. Better Safety & Compatibility: No hydrochloric acid residue, no corrosiveness, no irritation to animal intestines and human skin, suitable for sensitive formulas;
2. Higher Stability: Anhydrous structure avoids hydrolysis failure, longer shelf life in feed pellets and liquid cosmetic formulas;
3. Higher Effective Content: 99% pure active substance, lower addition dosage required to reach equal efficacy, cost-efficient in long-term use;
4. Wider Application Range: Betaine hydrochloride is limited mainly to feed, while anhydrous type covers cosmetics, food, medicine and fine chemicals entirely.

5. Storage, Packaging & Transportation Guidelines

1. Storage Condition: Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse away from moisture, rain and direct sunlight; strictly avoid mixing with strong oxidants and alkaline chemicals;
2. Packaging Options: 25kg woven bags with inner PE liner, kraft paper bags, 1000kg bulk ton bags, small trial packages of 1kg/5kg for laboratory testing;
3. Shelf Life: 24 months under proper sealed storage; check for caking before use if exposed to damp environment;
4. Shipping Reminder: It is non-dangerous goods for sea, air and land transportation, but waterproof wrapping must be strengthened in rainy seasons.

6. Conclusion

As a multifunctional natural bioactive raw material, Betaine Anhydrous (Trimethylglycine) relies on dual core mechanisms of methyl donation and osmotic pressure regulation, occupying an irreplaceable position in modern animal husbandry, cosmetic formulation, functional food and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Its high purity, safety, stable performance and cost-effective value make it a preferred additive for global manufacturers pursuing product quality upgrading and formula optimization. For downstream buyers, selecting ISO, HALAL, KOSHER, FDA-certified high-purity anhydrous betaine can maximize product efficacy and comply with international market access standards.