Monoethanolamine

Ethanolamine, also known as aminoethanol or beta-aminoethyl alcohol, is a member of the class of compounds known as 1,2-aminoalcohols. 1,2-aminoalcohols are organic compounds containing an alkyl chain with an amine group bound to the C1 atom and an alcohol group bound to the C2 atom. Ethanolamine is soluble (in water) and an extremely weak acidic compound (based on its pKa). Ethanolamine can be found in a number of food items such as daikon radish, caraway, muscadine grape, and lemon grass, which makes ethanolamine a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products.

Ethanolamine can be found primarily in most biofluids, including urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), feces, and saliva, as well as throughout most human tissues. Ethanolamine exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, ethanolamine is involved in several metabolic pathways, some of which include phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis PC(20:3(5Z,8Z,11Z)/18:3(6Z,9Z,12Z)), phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis PC(22:5(7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/18:3(6Z,9Z,12Z)), phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis PC(20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/20:0), and phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis PE(11D5/9M5).

Moreover, ethanolamine is found to be associated with maple syrup urine disease and propionic acidemia. Ethanolamine is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Ethanolamine, also called 2-aminoethanol or monoethanolamine (often abbreviated as ETA or MEA), is an organic chemical compound with the formula HOCH2CH2NH2. The molecule is both a primary amine and a primary alcohol (due to a hydroxyl group). Ethanolamine is a colorless, viscous liquid with an odor reminiscent to that of ammonia. Its derivatives are widespread in nature; e.g., lipids .

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