| Description | Tetramethylpyrazine, or 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, or TMP and also known as FEMA 3237, is an alkylpyrazine and belongs to the class of organic compounds known as pyrazines. Pyrazines are compounds containing a pyrazine ring, which is a six-member aromatic heterocycle, that consists of two nitrogen atoms (at positions 1 and 4) and four carbon atoms. Tetramethylpyrazine is a moderately basic compound with white crystals that are soluble in alcohol, fixed oils, propylene glycol and water. Its odor is described as nutty, musty and vanilla with dry, brown cocoa nuances and it taste is described as nutty, musty, cocoa, drying, peanut-like with raw coffee notes. Tetramethylpyrazine has been detected in roasted beef, cheddar cheese, dairy products, red and yellow bell peppers (c. annuum), potato, filberts, boiled egg, coconut endosperm, cocoa products, green tea, tea leaf, soybean products, soybean seed, macadamia nut, peanut, meat, guava fruit, shrimp, rum and whiskey. This could make tetramethylpyrazine a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. It has been used as a perfuming agent in soaps, detergents, toiletries, fabric softeners, bleach, alcoholic beverages, and fine fragrances. Its biosynthesis in Bacillus involves the amination of acetoin, the latter being derived from pyruvate (doi:10.1038/1951103a0). It exhibits potential nootropic (improved executive function PMID:23916742 ) and anti-inflammatory activities against induced cerebral ischemic in rats (PMID:23644042 ). |
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