Specifications

Appearance & Odour

White Crystalline powder, Odourless

Melting point

162 - 170 °C

pH (3% aqueous solution)

6.5 to 7.5

Chloride

0.2% Max.

Loss on drying

1.0% Max.

Assay (Purity)

99% Min.

Available Packaging

Custom packing as per customer requirement in PE Bags
(PE Bags packed in HDPE Open Top drums/pails)
Standard packing: 25 Kg./ 1 Kg.

Applications

Antifreeze, Bathroom cleaners, Bioethanol, Brake fluids, Laundry detergents, Nail polish, Nail polish remover, Perfumes, Pesticides, Paints / Polishes, Windshield wiper fluids

Trade name

 

 

 

DENATONIUM BENZOATE
Denatonium Benzoate is a bitter chemical used to denature alcohol. When alcohol is denatured, it becomes undrinkable due to its bitter taste. Denatonium Benzoate is considered the bitterest chemical compound with a variety of uses in cleaners, automotive supplies, and ambitious health and beauty. Commercially, this compound is available as a white crystalline powder, but denatonium granules or solutions are also available.

CAS NUMBER: 3734-33-6

SYNONYM:
Bitrex; Lidocaine benzyl benzoate; Anispray; Aversion; Gori; Denatonium (benzoate);Caswell No. 083BB; THS-839; UNII-M5BA6GAF1O;
Denatonium benzoate anhydrous; WIN 16568; BENZYLDIETHYL; Denatonii benzoas [INN-Latin]; EINECS 223-095-2; Benzoate de
denatonium [INN-French]; Benzoato de denatonio [INN-Spanish]; M5BA6GAF1O;Denatonium benzoate [USAN:INN:BAN];EPA Pesticide
Chemical Code 009106; NSC 157658; Denatonium benzoate granules; N-Benzyl-2-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)-N,N-diethyl-2
oxoethanaminium benzoate; MFCD00031578; Benzyldiethyl((2,6-xylylcarbamoyl)methyl)ammonium benzoate; Benzyldiethyl[(2,6xylylcarbamoyl)methyl]ammonium benzoate; Benzoato de denatonio;Benzoate de denatonium; 2-[diethylbenzylamino]-N-(2,6dimethylphenyl)acetamide, benzoic acid; Denatoniumbenzoate Benzenemethanaminium, N-(2-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino)-2oxoethyl)-N,N-diethyl-, benzoate (1:1); Benzenemethanaminium, N-[2-[(2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl]-N,N-diethyl-, benzoate
(1:1),THS-839; Lidocaine benzyl benzoate; benzyl-[2-(2,6-dimethylanilino)-2-oxoethyl]-diethylazanium;benzoate; ;Bitrex; N-[2-[(2,6Dimethylphenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl]-N,N-diethylbenzenemethanaminium benzoate, Bitrex

Bitterants such as denatonium benzoate are useful as aversive additives to prevent accidental ingestion of hazardous automotive
compounds. In Europe and in some U.S. states, addition of denatonium benzoate is required in ethylene glycol or anti-freeze and
windshield washer fluids. Common household products such as window cleaners, disinfectants, laundry detergent and insecticide
include a certain amount of denatonium benzoate to discourage consumption by mouth. Denatonium benzoate is applied on surfaces
of toys as a bittering agent to prevent substantial consumption of hazardous materials. Denatonium benzoate is also applied on
outdoor cables and wires to discourage rodents from chewing on parts and equipment. Denatonium benzoate is an aversive agent
added to various pesticides, plant food sticks and rodenticides to suppress swallowing especially when young children come in contact
with these poisonous substances.

By far, the most common use of denatonium benzoate is to denature alcohol, making Denatonium benzoate unfit for human
consumption and exempt from tariffs that normally apply to alcohol. In livestock farming, denatonium benzoate is used to prevent
cannibalism in pigs and aspiration mastitis in cattle. Denatonium benzoate acts as a repellant when applied to young shoots, branches
and other surfaces to discourage nibbling by animals, thereby preventing damage to property. Denatonium benzoate has a chemical
weight of 446.58116 g/mol and a molecular formula of C28 H3 4N 2O3. Denatonium benzoate is a compound of salt with an inert anion
such as benzoate or saccharide. Denatonium benzoate's structure is similar to lidocaine and is closely related to Novocain and
benzocaine. Denatonium benzoate is odorless, colorless and non-reactive, making Denatonium benzoate a suitable additive that does
not interfere with the primary purpose of the base compound.

Denatonium benzoate acts as a repellant when applied to young shoots, branches and other surfaces to discourage nibbling by
animals, thereby preventing damage to property. Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Empty containers pose a fire
risk, evaporate the residue under a fume hood. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not ingest. Do not breathe dust. Avoid
contact with eyes Wear p. 3 suitable protective clothing In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment If
ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show the container or the label. Keep container dry. Keep in a cool place. Ground all
equipment containing material. Keep container tightly closed. Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place. Combustible materials should be
stored away from extreme heat and away from strong oxidizing agents. Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of
inhalation.

Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant).Denatonium, usually available as denatonium benzoate (under trade names such as
Denatrol, BITTERANT-b, BITTER+PLUS, Bitrex or Aversion) and as denatonium saccharide (BITTERANT-s), is the most bitter chemical
compound known, with bitterness thresholds of 0.05 ppm for the benzoate and 0.01 ppm for the saccharide. Denatonium
benzoate was discovered in 1958 during research on local anesthetics by MacFarlan Smith of Edinburgh, Scotland, and registered
under the trademark Bitrex. Dilutions of as little as 10 ppm are unbearably bitter to most humans. Denatonium salts are usually colorless
and odorless solids but are often traded as solutions. They are used as aversive agents (bitterants) to prevent inappropriate ingestion.
Denatonium is used in denatured alcohol, antifreeze, nail biting preventions, respirator mask fit-testing, animal repellents, liquid soaps,
and shampoos. Denatonium benzoate is not known to pose any long-term health risks. The name denatonium is a portmanteau word
reflecting the substance's primary use as a denaturant and Denatonium benzoate chemical nature as a cation, whence the New Latin
suffix -onium. Denatonium is a quaternary ammonium cation. Denatonium benzoate is a compound of a salt with an inert anion like
benzoate or saccharide. The structure of denatonium is related to the local anesthetic lidocaine, differing only by the addition of a
benzyl group to the amino nitrogen.

Other similar compounds are procaine and benzocaine. One of the chemical names for the compound is lidocaine benzylbenzoate,
although denatonium only denotes the quaternary ammonium cation species itself, and does not necessitate the benzoate counterion.
Denatonium in humans is recognized by eight distinct bitter taste receptors: TAS2R4, TAS2R8, TAS2R10, TAS2R39, TAS2R43, TAS2R16,
TAS2R46, TAS2R47, with TAS2R47 being by far the most sensitive to the compound. Denatonium can act as a bronchodilator by
activating bitter taste receptors in the airway smooth muscle.

The bitterness of the compound guides most applications of denatonium. Denatonium benzoate is used to denature ethanol so that
Denatonium benzoate is not treated as an alcoholic beverage with respect to taxation and sales restrictions. One designation in
particular, SD-40B, indicates that ethanol has been denatured using denatonium benzoate. Denatonium is commonly included in
placebo medications used in clinical trials to match the bitter taste of certain medications. Denatonium also discourages consumption
of harmful alcohols like methanol, and additives like ethylene glycol. Denatonium is used in rubbing alcohol as an inactive ingredient.
Denatonium benzoate is also added to many kinds of harmful liquids including solvents (such as nail polish remover), paints, varnishes,
toiletries and other personal care items, special nail polish for preventing nail biting, and various other household products. Denatonium
benzoate is also added to less hazardous aerosol products (such as gas dusters) to discourage inhalant abuse of the volatile vapors.
In 1995, the U.S. state of Oregon required that denatonium benzoate be added to products containing sweet-tasting ethylene glycol
and methanol such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluid to prevent poisonings of children and animals. In December 2012, U.S.
manufacturers voluntarily agreed to add denatonium benzoate to antifreeze sold nationwide. Animals are known to have different
sensitivities to the effects of denatonium. Denatonium benzoate is used in some animal repellents (especially for such large mammals
as deer). Denatonium benzoate has been used to safeguard rat poisons from human consumption, as humans are able to detect
denatonium at much lower concentrations than rodents. The video game company Nintendo applies a coating containing denatonium
benzoate to the game cards for their Nintendo Switch gaming console to deter children from ingesting them due to their small size.
Denatonium benzoate was accidentally discovered in 1958 by a Scottish pharmaceutical company by the name of McFarlan Smith in
Edinburgh5.This discovery came about during research to improve the anesthetic properties of lidocaine. The laboratory was already extracting
brucine (bitter compound) in order to denature alcohols, but denatonium benzoate being more bitter and devoid of toxicity, the latter
quickly became the ideal denaturant. Denatonium benzoate is also from the name of Denatonium Benzoate use of denaturant that
this compound derives Denatonium benzoate name, the trade name being linked to the English word bitter meaning bitter 5. Another
of the first applications of Bitrex as an aversion agent was a cream designed to prevent pigs from eating their neighbor's tail5.
Legislation of denatonium benzoate As early as 1960, denatonium benzoate, under the brand name Bitrex, was authorized in the United
States and the United Kingdom in perfumes, perfumery, cosmetics and other industrial uses. Since then, Denatonium benzoate has
been recognized as a denaturing agent and aversion agent in more than 40 countries.

In 1993, Denatonium benzoate was authorized in the European Union as a denaturant of alcohol with a view to exemption from excise
duty6. In 1995, French law, by decree, made Denatonium benzoate compulsory for manufacturers to add denatonium benzoate or
another repellant to antifreeze and heat transfer fluids containing monoethyleneglycol7. Since 1999, Denatonium benzoate has been
compulsory to use Denatonium benzoate in certain pesticides5. Denatonium benzoate is a synthetic salt comprising an anion (the
benzoate) associated with a cation (a quaternary ammonium). The cation has a structure similar to the local anesthetic, lidocaine, from
which Denatonium benzoate differs only by the addition of a benzyl group on the tertiary amine. Denatonium can be combined with
other anions in salt form such as saccharinate ion to form Denatonium saccharinate or chloride ion to form denatonium9 chloride.
Denatonium benzoate is soluble in water1, ethanol, methanol, butanol, isopropanol and chloroform4.
The melting point of denatonium benzoate is 168 ° C3. Denatonium benzoate has a detection limit of 10 ppb and a recognition threshold
of bitterness of 0.05 ppm, which makes Denatonium benzoate as bitter as quassine, the most bitter known natural compound with a
recognition threshold of bitterness of 0.06 ppm. The nature of the anion with which the denatonium salt is associated modifies the
concentration of the bitterness recognition threshold. Thus, for denatonium saccharinate and denatonium chloride, the latter is 0.01
ppm and 0.1 ppm respectively9. Denatonium benzoate is really very bitter around 10 ppm. Denatonium benzoate is considered harmless
to the skin in cosmetic products at the doses used (0.0006%). Denatonium benzoate is mainly used for Denatonium benzoate bitter
taste as a denaturant, repellant, aversion agent, or bitter. In the European Union, denatonium benzoate is used as a denaturant in
alcohols, mainly for exemption from excise duty6. Denatonium benzoate is also used to discourage the consumption of toxic alcohols
such as methanol and ethylene glycol.
In France, manufacturers add a minimum of 20 ppm of denatonium benzoate in products containing ethylene glycol, this concerns
antifreeze, heat transfer fluids and windshield washer products7. Denatonium benzoate is recommended in the fight for the protection
of children and the reduction of household accidents due to the absorption of household products (detergents, laundry products,
softeners), cosmetics, perfumes and bath products (shampoo). The intense bitterness of denatonium benzoate forces a child to spit out
the product immediately after putting Denatonium benzoate in the mouth12. Denatonium benzoate is used as an additive in products
for the control of rodents (vole, nutria, rat, mouse) and deer13. Denatonium benzoate is also used in bitter nail polish to combat nail
biting mania (onychophagia).Denatonium benzoate (de-an-TOE-nee-um BEN-zoh-ate) is generally regarded as having the most bitter
taste of any compound known to science. Denatonium benzoate is sold under the trade name of Bitrex.

IUPAC NAME:
benzyl-[2-(2,6-dimethylanilino)-2-oxoethyl]-diethylazanium;benzoate; hydrate
TRADE NAME:
Denatonium benzoate
OTHER NAME:
86398-53-0

Although denatonium benzoate has a powerful taste, Denatonium benzoate is colorless and odorless. The taste is so strong, however,
that most people cannot tolerate a concentration of more than 30 parts per million of denatonium benzoate. Solutions of denatonium
benzoate in alcohol or water are very stable and retain their bitter taste for many years. Exposure to light does not lessen the
compound's bitter taste. Denatonium benzoate has been used in the United States for over 20 years as an alcohol denaturant. In recent
years, Denatonium benzoate has been heavily promoted for inclusion in household products, gardening products, and cosmetics to
prevent accidental ingestions by children. A concentrated solution of denatonium benzoate which would be sold directly to the public
for addition to household products is available in USA.
The efficacy and safety studies on denatonium benzoate are limited and may be subject to varying interpretations when viewed in the
context of a potential poisoning situation. Safety data indicate a low toxicity profile. However, there are significant gaps in knowledge,
especially relating to chronic toxicity in humans, teratogenicity, and human hypersensitivity potential. A 33-year-old man developed
asthma and urticaria from exposure to denatonium benzoate in an insecticidal spray. He had previously developed the same symptoms
following exposure to an alcohol-based skin disinfectant and other products denatured with denatonium benzoate. The cause of his
symptoms was thus likely to be an immunologic mechanism of the immediate hypersensitivity-type.
Currently available, admittedly limited data indicate that denatonium benzoate may actually have a low toxicity profile. Considering
Denatonium benzoate wide availability as a denaturant for alcohol, Denatonium benzoate is surprising that human toxicity has been
reported only once. However, denatonium toxicity may have been unrecognized because Denatonium benzoate is usually not included
on product-ingredient lists since Denatonium benzoate represents a small percentage of the total chemical make-up of the product. No
data exist on acute ocular or inhalation exposure in humans, chronic skin exposure in humans or animals, or chronic inhalation
exposure in humans or animals. Denatonium benzoate's safety on broken or abraded skin has not been investigated. There are no
teratogenicity studies. In July 1991, The American Academy of Veterinary and Comparative Toxicology passed a resolution to encourage
the use of a bittering agent to limit the ingestion of hazardous materials by companion animals.
Rodgers expressed the view that some of the products, such as caustics and hydrocarbons, to which aversive agents might be added
may produce toxicity with a single swallowing and Denatonium benzoate is unlikely that the addition of an adversive agent would have
a beneficial effect on the outcome of such ingestions. He suggested that addition of denatonium benzoate might actually increase the
potential for toxicity of such ingestions because vomiting might increase the risk of aspiration. He therefore recommended the use of
denatonium benzoate in a limited number of products including those containing ethylene glycol, methanol and toxic pesticides. In
summary, denatonium benzoate appears to be safe when used at low concentrations as an aversive agent. However, there are limited
data about whether aversive agents have an impact on either the number or the severity of pediatric ingestions, and Denatonium
benzoateS use should not be a substitute for other preventive measures such as child-resistant closures.
Denatonium is a rather more convenient name than phenylmethyl-[2- [(2,6-dimethylphenyl)amino]-2-oxoethyl]-diethylammonium. It is
a quaternary ammonium cation, with two ethyl arms, one benzyl and one larger amide one, and usually comes as a benzoate - a salt of
benzoic acid. Denatonium benzoate's claim to fame is simple, unpleasant but valuable - denatonium benzoate is the most bitter
substance yet discovered.This unreactive, colourless, odourless compound was first produced accidentally in 1958 by Scottish
pharmaceutical manufacturer T & H Smith, later Macfarlan Smith, where researchers were experimenting with variants of an
anaesthetic for dentists called lignocaine. Denatonium benzoate was soon discovered that just a few parts per million of denatonium
benzoate were enough for this aggressively unpleasant compound to render a substance distasteful to humans.
Quinine, the archetypal bitter substance associated with this gene, is used as the benchmark for bitterness, and is helpful in
demonstrating just how strong denatonium benzoate is. The human tongue can pick up the bitter kick of quinine at a concentration of
around 0.008 moles per cubic meter. By contrast, denatonium benzoate requires a thousandth of that concentration to be
detected. Our outstanding reaction to denatonium benzoate is likely to be an accidental function of the way the TAS2R taste receptors
on the tongue react to this particular compound. But this is an accident that has found plenty of use, as denatonium benzoate is
marketed under names like Bitrex, BITTER+PLUS and Aversion, which are all varieties of bitterants or aversive agents.
The idea is simple - if you have something that may be consumed but shouldn't be, you add some denatonium benzoate and even small
quantities of Denatonium benzoate will put people off. Children, who inevitably are the most likely to try to consume substances they
shouldn't, with as many as 30,000 a year taken to hospital in the UK alone with suspected poisoning, seem particularly sensitive to the
bitter attack of denatonium, making Denatonium benzoate ideal for the job. Some of the applications are straightforward - in the
otherwise sweet-tasting but poisonous antifreeze ethylene glycol, for instance, and in rat poison (luckily rat tongues are a lot less
sensitive to the compound). Rather more sneakily, ethanol can be ‘denatured' by adding denatonium, making Denatonium benzoate
undrinkable. This means Denatonium benzoate can be sold without the large tax burden that usually accompanies an alcoholic drink,
when the alcohol is to be used for cleaning or as fuel - a particularly common application with the increasing use of bioethanol.
If denatonium benzoate were a member of a team Denatonium benzoate would be the prickly one that no one else gets on with, but
that everyone remembers.
Our sense of taste may be one of the weaker senses, but Denatonium benzoate still remains a fundamental helper in ensuring we don't
eat things we shouldn't. Celebrity chefs may spend their lives pursuing gastronomic pleasures, tracking down the latest taste
sensation, but denatonium benzoate is always there to remind us that bad taste can be just as useful as tasty treats. And that's so
much more useful than a dose of kryptonite. Denatonium Benzoate is a bittering agent. Denatonium benzoate is considered the
bitterest chemical compound with a range of uses in the manufacture of cleaners, automotive supplies as well as health and beauty
items. Commercially, this compound is available as a white crystalline powder, but denatonium benzoate granules or solutions are also
available. Denatonium salts are usually colorless and odorless solids but are often traded as solutions. They are used as aversive agents
to prevent accidental ingestion. Denatonium is used in denatured alcohol, antifreeze, nail biting preventions, animal repellents, liquid
soaps, and shampoos. Denatonium benzoate is not known to pose any long-term health risks although exposure may be irritating and
unpleasant.
Denatonium is a quaternary ammonium cation. Denatonium benzoate is a compound of a salt with an inert anion like benzoate or
saccharide. The structure of denatonium is related to the local anesthetic lidocaine, differing only by the addition of a benzyl group to
the amino nitrogen. Denatonium also discourages consumption of harmful alcohols like methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol. Denatonium
is therefore often used in rubbing alcohol as an inactive ingredient. Denatonium benzoate is also added to all kinds of harmful liquids
including solvents, paints, varnishes, toiletries, and other household products. Denatonium benzoate should be noted that animals are
known to have different sensitivities to the effects of denatonium. Denatonium benzoate has been used to safeguard rat poisons from
human consumption, so presumably rats are not deterred by Denatonium benzoate, although there is evidence that a small
percentage of rodents do avoid such baits. Some cats have been known to be tempted by them Denatonium benzoate may not be as
effective a deterrent for cats as Denatonium benzoate is for humans, or perhaps some cats are not deterred due to a genetic factor
similar to that affecting human perceptions of the taste of phenylthiocarbamide.
Dilutions of as little as 10 ppm are unbearably bitter to most humans. Denatonium salts are usually colorless and odorless solids but are
often traded as solutions. They are used as aversive agents (bitterants) to prevent inappropriate ingestion. Denatonium is used in
denatured alcohol, antifreeze, preventive nail biting preparations, respirator mask fit-testing, animal repellents, liquid soaps, shampoos,
and even Nintendo Switch game cards to prevent accidental swallowing or choking by children. Denatonium benzoate is not known to
pose any long-term health risks. The bitterness of the compound guides most applications of denatonium. Denatonium benzoate is
used to denature ethanol so that Denatonium benzoate is not treated as an alcoholic beverage with respect to taxation and sales
restrictions. One designation in particular, SD-40B, indicates that ethanol has been denatured using denatonium benzoate.
Denatonium benzoate is commonly included in placebo medications used in clinical trials to mimic the bitter taste of certain
medications.
Denatonium also discourages consumption of harmful alcohols like methanol, and additives like ethylene glycol. Denatonium is used in
rubbing alcohol as an inactive ingredient. Denatonium benzoate is also added to many kinds of harmful liquids including solvents (such
as nail polish remover), paints, varnishes, toiletries and other personal care items, special nail polish for preventing nail biting, and
various other household products. Denatonium benzoate is also added to less hazardous aerosol products (such as gas dusters) to
discourage inhalant abuse of the volatile vapors. Denatonium Benzoate is a bittering agent. Denatonium benzoate is considered the
bitterest chemical compound with a range of uses in the manufacture of cleaners, automotive supplies as well as health and beauty
items. Commercially, this compound is available as a white crystalline powder, but denatonium benzoate granules or solutions are also
available. The chemical database PubChem assigned a chemical identification number or CID of 19518 to denatonium. Denatonium
benzoate has a chemical weight of 446.58116 g/mol and a molecular formula of C28 H3 4N 2O3. Denatonium benzoate is a compound
of salt with an inert anion such as benzoate or saccharide. Denatonium benzoate's structure is similar to lidocaine and is closely related
to Novocain and benzocaine.
Denatonium benzoate is odorless, colorless and non-reactive, making Denatonium benzoate a suitable additive that does not interfere
with the primary purpose of the base compound. Humans can typically sense sweet, sour, salty, savory and bitter-tasting stuff. Of these
flavors, bitter-tasting chemicals elicit the most reaction. Sensitivity to bitter flavors depends on genetics: The TAS2R38 gene
determines a person’s ability to detect the bitterness associated with substances such as quinine, which is an ingredient in tonic
water. Denatonium benzoate is also the standard for this type of bitter flavor. At a concentration of 0.008 moles per cubic meter, the
human tongue can detect the presence of quinine. For denatonium benzoate, a concentration of 0.000008 moles per cubic meter is
discernible to humans. Bitterants such as denatonium benzoate are useful as aversive additives to prevent accidental ingestion of
hazardous automotive compounds. In Europe and in some U.S. states, addition of denatonium benzoate is required in ethylene glycol or
anti-freeze and windshield washer fluids. Common household products such as window cleaners, disinfectants, laundry detergent and
insecticide include a certain amount of denatonium benzoate to discourage consumption by mouth. Denatonium benzoate is applied on
surfaces of toys as a bittering agent to prevent substantial consumption of hazardous materials.
Denatonium benzoate is also applied on outdoor cables and wires to discourage rodents from chewing on parts and equipment.
Denatonium benzoate is an aversive agent added to various pesticides, plant food sticks and rodenticides to suppress swallowing
especially when young children come in contact with these poisonous substances. By far, the most common use of denatonium
benzoate is to denature alcohol, making Denatonium benzoate unfit for human consumption and exempt from tariffs that normally
apply to alcohol. In livestock farming, denatonium benzoate is used to prevent cannibalism in pigs and aspiration mastitis in
cattle. Denatonium benzoate acts as a repellant when applied to young shoots, branches and other surfaces to discourage nibbling by
animals, thereby preventing damage to property. Denatonium Benzoate – to give Denatonium benzoate Denatonium benzoate full,
technical name.
Ironically, that’s a bit of a mouthful. So we call Denatonium benzoate Bitrex. The bitterest substance known to man, woman or child.
That’s according to The Guinness World Records. A substance that’s put into household, garden and automotive products to ensure that
if a child or animal ever tried to swallow Denatonium benzoate, they would spit Denatonium benzoate straight out before they could
be poisoned. Completely harmless if consumed. It just tastes really, really horrible. If denatonium benzoate were a member of a team
Denatonium benzoate would be the prickly one that no one else gets on with, but that everyone remembers. Our sense of taste may be
one of the weaker senses, but Denatonium benzoate still remains a fundamental helper in ensuring we don’t eat things we shouldn’t.
Celebrity chefs may spend their lives pursuing gastronomic pleasures, tracking down the latest taste sensation, but denatonium
benzoate is always there to remind us that bad taste can be just as useful as tasty treats.
And that’s so much more useful than a dose of kryptonite. Denatonium benzoate (3734-33-6) has been investigated for Carcinogenicity
to a greater or lesser extent. Often the studies based on in vivo experiments in rodents, i.e. most commonly in rats Denatonium
benzoate (3734-33-6) In experimental study given by Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (International Journal of Toxicology,
27(Suppl. 1):1–43, 2008) In a Chronic toxicity study, Denatonium benzoate, dissolved in distilled water, was administered by gavage at
dosage levels of 1.6, 8 or 16 mg/kg/day with a total administration volume of 10 ml/kg/day. The rats were observed for overt signs of
toxicity, mortality, body weight, food consumption and efficiency.
Ophthalmoscopic, haematological, biochemistry, urine analysis, gross and histopathological examinations were also investigated. No
mortalities occurred that could be directly attributed to treatment. Similarly, no changes were observed in body weight, food
consumption, food efficiency, opthalmoscopic, hematology or clinical chemistry. In addition, no change were observed in organ weight,
gross pathology and histopathology of treated male and female rat when compared with control. Some changes were observed on
terminal sacrifice but the effect is not regarded to be substance-related. Since no alterations were observed in the test groups from the
control groups the effects observed were not considered to be compound related. The tumors observed were not regarded to be the
result of a tumorigenic effect of the test material.
Despite the fact that no statistical calculations could be performed due to the low numbers of animals tested, and since no compound
related effects were observed, the results still indicates towards a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) (relating systemic chronic
effects and carcinogenicity) of 16 mg/kg per day for the given test chemical. Thus, comparing this value with the criteria of CLP
regulation, Denatonium benzoate (3734-33-6) can be not classified for Carcinogenicity in rats by oral route exposed for 2 years.
Denatonium, usually available as denatonium benzoate (trade names Bitrex) is the most bitter chemical compound known, with
bitterness thresholds of 0.05 ppm for the benzoate and 0.01 ppm for the saccharide. Scientists at Macfarlan Smith, Ltd. of Edinburgh,
Scotland discovered Bitrex during research on derivatives of the anesthetic lidocaine.
The extremely bitter taste proved effective in reducing ingestion by humans and animals. Denatonium is commonly included in placebo
medications used in clinical trials to match the bitter taste of certain medications. Denatonium activates bitter taste receptor, mainly,
TAS2R4, TAS2R8, TAS2R10, TAS2R13 on many cell types and plays important roles in chemical release, ciliary beating and smooth
muscle relaxation through intracellular Ca(2+)-dependent pathways. Denatonium inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of airway
epithelial cells. After treatment with 2 mM denatonium for 24 h, the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly
reduced and the release of cytochrome c and Smac/DIABLO from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm was drastically increased in
human bronchial epithelial cell lines 16HBE.
To examine whether denatonium induces mitochondrial damage in airway epithelial cells, was used transmission electron microscopy to
examine the ultrastructures of human lung cancer cell line A549 treated with 2 mM denatonium. The control cells appeared to have
normal mitochondria and mostly homogeneous cytoplasms, while A549 cells treated with denatonium showed large amplitude swelling
of mitochondria. Illegal alcoholic beverages are often introduced into market using cheap technical alcohol, which is contaminated by
denatonium benzoate (Bitrex) of very small concentration. Bitrex is the most bitter chemical compound and has to be removed before
alcohol consumption. The home‐made methods utilize sodium hypochlorite to disintegrate particles of denatonium benzoate in alcohol
and to remove bitter taste before trading.
In this experimental studies, we propose a novel method that detects in a fast way the remnants of denatonium benzoate in dubious
alcohol samples by Raman spectroscopy. Denatonium Benzoate, t-Butyl Alcohol, Diethyl Phthalate, Methyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid,
Sodium Salicylate, and Methyl Salicylate are examples of denaturants permitted for use by the TTB and concluded to be safe for use in
cosmetics. Other countries have different rules on allowed denaturants so when formulating you should check with local regulations.
Specific denatured alcohols containing these denaturants that are permitted for use in U.S. cosmetics and personal care products are
SD Alcohol 3-A, SD Alcohol 30, SD Alcohol 39-B, SD Alcohol 39-C, SD Alcohol 40-B and SD Alcohol 40-C. Denatonium benzoate is one
of the most bitter substances known. Just a few parts per million will make a product so bitter that children and pets will not be able to
swallow Denatonium benzoate.
Denatonium benzoate makes sweet but highly toxic products such as antifreeze and detergents taste foul. Research shows that people
can detect denatonium benzoate in water at 50 parts per billion. Denatonium benzoate is bitter at 1 to 10 ppm and most products will
become undrinkable at 30 to 100 ppm. Denatonium benzoate is also stable and inert. In addition, so little is needed that the properties
of the product remain unchanged Denatonium benzoate is a compound of salt with an inert anion such as benzoate or saccharide. Its
structure is similar to lidocaine and is closely related to Novocain and benzocaine. Denatonium benzoate is odorless, colorless and nonreactive, making Denatonium benzoate a suitable additive that does not interfere with the primary purpose of the base
compound. Humans can typically sense sweet, sour, salty, savory and bitter-tasting stuff. Of these flavors, bitter-tasting chemicals elicit
the most reaction. Sensitivity to bitter flavors depends on genetics: The TAS2R38 gene determines a person’s ability to detect the
bitterness associated with substances such as quinine, which is an ingredient in tonic water.
Denatonium benzoate is also the standard for this type of bitter flavor. At a concentration of 0.008 moles per cubic meter, the human
tongue can detect the presence of quinine. For denatonium benzoate, a concentration of 0.000008 moles per cubic meter is
discernible to humans. Bitterants such as denatonium benzoate are useful as aversive additives to prevent accidental ingestion of
hazardous automotive compounds. Denatonium, usually available as denatonium benzoate (under trade names such as Denatrol,
BITTERANT-b, BITTER+PLUS, Bitrex or Aversion) and as denatonium saccharide (BITTERANT-s), is the most bitter chemical compound
known, with bitterness thresholds of 0.05 ppm for the benzoate and 0.01 ppm for the saccharide. Denatonium benzoate was
discovered in 1958 during research on local anesthetics by MacFarlan Smith of Edinburgh, Scotland, and registered under the
trademark Bitrex.
Dilutions of as little as 10 ppm are unbearably bitter to most humans. Denatonium salts are usually colorless and odorless solids but are
often traded as solutions. They are used as aversive agents (bitterants) to prevent inappropriate ingestion. Denatonium is used in
denatured alcohol,antifreeze, preventive nail biting preparations, respirator mask fit-testing, animal repellents, liquid soaps, shampoos,
and even Nintendo Switch game cards to prevent accidental swallowing or choking by children. Denatonium benzoate is not known to
pose any long-term health risks. Denatonium is a quaternary ammonium cation. Denatonium benzoate is a compound of a salt with an
inert anion like benzoate or saccharide. The structure of denatonium is related to the local anesthetic lidocaine, differing only by the
addition of a benzyl group to the amino nitrogen. Other similar compounds are procaine and benzocaine.
One of the chemical names for the compound is lidocaine benzylbenzoate, although denatonium only denotes the quaternary
ammonium cation species itself, and does not necessitate the benzoate counterion. Denatonium also discourages consumption of
harmful alcohols like methanol, and additives like ethylene glycol. Denatonium is used in rubbing alcohol as an inactive ingredient. It is
also added to many kinds of harmful liquids including solvents (such as nail polish remover), paints, varnishes, toiletries and other
personal care items, special nail polish for preventing nail biting, and various other household products. Denatonium benzoate is also
added to less hazardous aerosol products (such as gas dusters) to discourage inhalant abuse of the volatile vapors. Denatonium
benzoate is a compound of salt with an inert anion such as benzoate or saccharide. Denatonium benzoate's structure is similar to
lidocaine and is closely related to Novocain and benzocaine. Denatonium benzoate is odorless, colorless and non-reactive, making
Denatonium benzoate a suitable additive that does not interfere with the primary purpose of the base compound. Humans can typically
sense sweet, sour, salty, savory and bitter-tasting stuff.