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Ectoine

CAS No.
96702-03-3
Chemical Name:
Ectoine
Synonyms
ECTOIN;RonaCare;Pyrostatine B;ECTOINE BIOCHEMIKA 99%;Ectoine sodium salt monohydrate;(S)-1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidincarbonsure;2-METHYL-1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID;THP[B];Ikdoin;Ectone
CBNumber:
CB4359836
Molecular Formula:
C6H10N2O2
Molecular Weight:
142.16
MDL Number:
MFCD03419286
MOL File:
96702-03-3.mol
MSDS File:
SDS
Last updated:2026-04-14 09:55:04
Product description Number Pack Size Price
Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 81619 1g $34
Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 81619 10g $272
Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 81619 100g $1970
Ectoine primary reference standard 02380595 100MG $397
Ectoine E1372 1G $70
More product size

Ectoine Properties

Melting point ~280°
alpha D20 +140° (c = 1.0 in methanol)
Boiling point 381.5±35.0 °C(Predicted)
Density 1.37
storage temp. 2-8°C
solubility methanol: 20 mg/mL, clear, colorless
pka 3.14±0.20(Predicted)
form Solid
color White to Off-White
Water Solubility Water : 250 mg/mL (1758.58 mM)
BRN 7288977
Stability Hygroscopic
Major Application food and beverages
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions SKIN CONDITIONING
InChI InChI=1S/C6H10N2O2/c1-4-7-3-2-5(8-4)6(9)10/h5H,2-3H2,1H3,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/t5-/m0/s1
InChIKey WQXNXVUDBPYKBA-YFKPBYRVSA-N
SMILES C1(C)=NCC[C@@H](C(O)=O)N1
EWG's Food Scores 1
FDA UNII 7GXZ3858RY
UNSPSC Code 24112111
NACRES NA.25

SAFETY

Risk and Safety Statements

Symbol(GHS)  GHS hazard pictograms
GHS07
Signal word  Warning
Hazard statements  H302-H315-H319-H335
Precautionary statements  P261-P301+P312-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338
Hazard Codes  Xi
Risk Statements  36/37/38
Safety Statements  26-36
WGK Germany  1
HS Code  2933.59.9500
Storage Class 11 - Combustible Solids

Ectoine price More Price(24)

Manufacturer Product number Product description CAS number Packaging Price Updated Buy
Sigma-Aldrich 81619 Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 96702-03-3 1g $34 2026-03-19 Buy
Sigma-Aldrich 81619 Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 96702-03-3 10g $272 2026-03-19 Buy
Sigma-Aldrich 81619 Ectoine ≥95.0% (HPLC) 96702-03-3 100g $1970 2026-03-19 Buy
Sigma-Aldrich 02380595 Ectoine primary reference standard 96702-03-3 100MG $397 2026-03-19 Buy
TCI Chemical E1372 Ectoine 96702-03-3 1G $70 2026-03-19 Buy
Product number Packaging Price Buy
81619 1g $34 Buy
81619 10g $272 Buy
81619 100g $1970 Buy
02380595 100MG $397 Buy
E1372 1G $70 Buy

Ectoine Chemical Properties,Uses,Production

Description

Ectoine is a carboxamidine heterocycle obtained by formal condensation of (2S)-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid with acetic acid. It has a role as an osmolyte. It is a carboxamidine, a member of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines and a monocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of an ectoinate. It is a tautomer of an ectoine zwitterion.

a small organic molecule

Ectoine, a small organic molecule, occur widely in aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, and halophilic organisms that enable them to survive under extreme conditions. These organisms protect their biopolymers (bio membranes, proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids) against dehydration caused by high temperature, salt concentration, and low water activity by substantial ectoine synthesis and enrichment within the cell. The organic osmolyte, ectoine and hydroxyectoine are amphoteric, water-binding, organic molecules. They are generally compatible with the cellular metabolism without adversely affecting the biopolymers or physiologic processes and are so-called compatible solutes.small organic molecule.

Physicochemical properties

Like other compatible solutes, ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine are low-molecular mass compounds that are highly soluble in water (about 4 M at 20℃), thereby allowing the amassing of these compounds to near molar concentrations in severely osmotically stressed microbial cells. A variety of biophysical techniques have been used to study the effects of ectoine on the hydration of proteins and cell membranes and on interactions mediated via hydrogen bonding. Collectively, these data revealed that ectoine is excluded from the monolayer of dense hydration water around soluble proteins and from the immediate hydration layer at the membrane/liquid interface. Ectoine enhances the properties of hydrogen bonds in aqueous solutions and thereby contributes to the dynamics and stabilization of macromolecular structures. Ectoine possesses a negatively charged carboxylate group attached to a ring structure that contains a delocalized positive charge. The resulting interplay between hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces influences waterwater and water-solute interactions and thereby exerts strong effects on the hydration of ectoine itself, the binding of ions and the influence on the local water structure. Molecular dynamics simulations have indicated that ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine are strong water-binders and are able to accumulate seven and nine water molecules, respectively, around them at a distance smaller than 0.6 nm. Collectively, the physico-chemical attributes of ectoine allow a physiologically adequate hydration of the cytoplasm upon their osmostress-responsive accumulation, afford effects on the local water structure, and also exert a major protective influence on the stability of proteins and the functionality of macromolecules.

Osmolytic properties of ectoine

Ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine are produced by microorganisms in response to true osmotic stress, and not just in response to increases in the external salinity. In cases where the build-up of ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine pools has been studied in more detail, there is often a linear relationship between the cellular content of these solutes and the external salinity/osmolarity. This finding implies that bacterial cells can perceive incremental increases in the degree of the environmentally imposed osmotic stress, can process this information genetically/physiologically, and can then set its ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine biosynthetic capacity in a finely tuned fashion to relieve the constraints imposed by high-osmolarity on cellular hydration, physiology, and growth. High-osmolarity-dictated increases in the cellular ectoine pools are largely accomplished through osmotically-responsive increases in the transcription of the ectoine/5-hydroxyectoine biosynthetic genes, although there might be post-transcriptional effects as well. Attesting to the role of ectoine as a potent osmostress protectant is the finding that the disruption of the ectABC biosynthetic genes causes osmotic sensitivity and the genetic disruption of the gene (ectD) for the ectoine hydroxylase in Chromohalobacter salexigens impairs the ability to cope effectively with high growth temperature extremes. In microorganisms that are capable of synthesizing both ectoine and 5-hydroxyectoine, a mixture of these two solutes is frequently found. Interestingly, such a 1:1 mixture (0.5 mM each) provided the best salt and heat stress protection to Streptomyces coelicolor when it was added to the growth medium. However, there are also microorganisms that seem to produce almost exclusively 5-hydroxyectoine during osmotic stress and different growth phases of the culture.

existence

Ectoine is found in high concentrations in halophilic microorganisms and confers resistance towards salt and temperature stress. Ectoine was first identified in the microorganism Ectothiorhodospira halochloris, but has since been found in a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. 

Biosynthesis of ectoine

Ectoines are common in aerobic heterotrophic eubacteria. The entry molecule in ectoine biosynthesis is aspartate semialdehyde, which is an intermediate in amino acid metabolism. The aldehyde is converted to L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, which is then acetylated to from Nγ-acetyldiaminobutyric acid (NADA). The final step is the cyclization of this solute to form ectoine. Ectoine synthesis is carried out by the process of three genes: ectABC. The ectA gene codes for diaminobutyric acid acetyltransferase; ectB codes for the diaminobutyric acid aminotransferase and ectC codes for ectoine synthase.
Ectoine is synthesized from aspartate-semialdehyde, the central intermediate in the synthesis of amino acids belonging to the aspartate family. Ectoine formation comprises three enzymatic steps. First, aspartate-semialdehyde is transaminated to 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA) with glutamate as amino-group donor. The transamination is catalyzed by DABA transaminase ectB. EctB is a 421-residue protein with a molecular mass of 46.1 kDa, which requires K 1 for its transaminase activity and for protein stability. Gel filtration experiments with purified protein from H. elongata indicate that the DABA aminotransferase ectB might form a homohexamer in the native state. Then, an acetyl group is transferred to DABA from acetyl-CoA by DABA-Nγ-acetyltransferase ectA in order to synthesize Nγ-acetyl-L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid. EctA is a 192-residue protein with a calculated molecular mass of 21.2 kDa. Finally, ectoine synthase ectC catalyzes the cyclic condensation of Nγ-acetyl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, which leads to the formation of ectoine. EctC is a 137-residue protein with a calculated molecular weight of 15.5 kDa with a pI value of 4.9. The ectC protein belongs to the enzyme family of carbon-oxygen lyases. In vitro experiments with purified ectC revealed that ectoine-synthase activity and affinity to its substrate are strongly affected by NaCl. Under certain stress conditions (e.g. elevated temperatures) H. elongata converts some of the ectoine to 5- hydroxyectoine by ectoine hydroxylase (EctD). The ectoine hydroxylase EctD consists of 332 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 37.4 kDa. The ectD protein is a member of an oxygenase subfamily within the nonhemecontaining, iron (II)- and α- ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily. Ectoine hydroxylase was shown to catalyze the direct hydroxylation of ectoine to 5-hydroxyectoine. The genes for ectoine biosynthesis ectABC are clustered together and can be found only 5 kb from the termination point of chromosome replication. The ectD gene encoding the hydroxylase for hydroxyectoine synthesis is located apart from the ectABC cluster. Recently, Schwibbert and coworkers mapped the transcriptional initiation sites of ectABC and found two promoters in front of ectA and one upstream of ectC. Upstream of ectA a putative σ70 promoter and an osmotically inducible σ38 promoter were found, while in front of ectC a σ54-controlled promoter is located. σ54-controlled promoters are often involved in transcription of nitrogen-regulated genes. The transcriptional regulation of ectABC by an osmoregulated σ38 promoter and a σ54 promoter is in agreement with physiological observations made with other bacteria, such as Corynebacterium glutamicum and Halorhodospira (formerly Ectothiorhodospira) halochloris. In these organisms, it was shown that synthesis of the compatible solutes proline and glycine betaine, respectively, is not only determined by salinity but also by nitrogen supply. Ectoine biosynthesis is regulated at the level of transcription and enzyme activity. Transcriptome analysis of H. elongata revealed an increase of mRNA from ectA, ectB, and ectC with increasing sodium chloride concentration from 0.6% (0.1 M) to 12% (2 M) NaCl. Similar results were obtained from proteome analysis that showed an increase in ectABC protein at elevated salinities. Contribution of expression and enzyme activity of ectABC to osmoregulated ectoine synthesis was investigated with cells of H. elongata that have been treated with chloramphenicol (Cm) to abolish protein biosynthesis. Cultures of H. elongata with and without Cm growing at 1% NaCl (0.17 M) and 4% NaCl (0.68 M) were exposed to an osmotic upshift. The salt concentration of the cultures growing at 1% NaCl was increased to 4% NaCl and in the cultures growing at 4% NaCl to 8% NaCl. The Cm treated cells grown at a low salt concentration of 1% NaCl failed to synthesize sufficient ectoine in response to the salt shock that raised the salinity to 4% NaCl.

Description

Ectoine is a cyclic tetrahydropyrimidine organic osmolyte, which was discovered in the halophilic bacterium Ectothiorhodospira halochloris. It is the most abundant solute produced by aerobic heterotrophic eubacteria and has been extensively characterized as an osmoprotectant and stabilizer for cells and biomolecules.

Uses

Ectoine is a natural protector that stabilizes proteins and other cell structures and protects the skin from stresses such as UV exposure and dryness.

Definition

Ectoine is a carboxamidine heterocycle obtained by formal condensation of (2S)-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid with acetic acid. It has a role as an osmolyte. It is a carboxamidine, a member of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines and a monocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of an ectoinate. It is a tautomer of an ectoine zwitterion.

Application

Ectoine strongly inhibits the Ab42 amyloid formation in vitro, reducing the toxicity to human neurblastoma cells. Ab42 was found to be the most predominant proteolytic fragment found in amyloid plaques, thus, ectoine may act as a potential inhibitor associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Biological Functions

Ectoine is considered a member of the small molecule chaperones family (SMCs). SMCs accumulate to high intracellular concentrations, preventing the misfolding/ denaturation of proteins and other labile macromolecules.  Ectoine preserves enzymes and whole cells against harmful conditions such as freezing, drying, or heating. This molecule, among other compatible solutes, possesses the ability to conserve the proteolytic activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin. It has been shown to induce heat shock proteins and downregulate proinflammatory signals in human keratinocytes. It is not toxic to the cellular environment, even at concentrations as high as 100 mM.Therapeutic uses of Ectoine

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ectoine is an osmoprotectant in a variety of microorganisms, including heterotrophic, halophilic and non-halophilic bacteria, such as Streptomyces and E. coli. This compatible solute is also protective for E. coli during drying and storage. Ecdysone is associated with the stabilization of protein and lipid bilayers. It also regulates the retention of bulking pressure and reduces desiccation stress. It can be used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ecdysone causes structural changes in DNA in vitro and protects DNA from ionizing radiation (IR). It prevents the formation of insulin amyloid in vitro.Ecdysone is an osmoprotectant in a variety of microorganisms, including heterotrophic, halophilic and non-halophilic bacteria, such as Streptomyces and E. coli. This compatible solute is also protective for E. coli during drying and storage. Ecdysone is associated with the stabilization of protein and lipid bilayers. It also regulates the retention of bulking pressure and reduces desiccation stress. It can be used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ecdysone causes structural changes in DNA in vitro and protects DNA from ionizing radiation (IR). It prevents the formation of insulin amyloid in vitro.

References

1. Galinski, E.A., et al., 1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4- pyrimidinecarboxylic acid. A novel cyclic amino acid from halophilic phototrophic bacteria of the genus Ectothiorhodospira. Eur. J. Biochem., 149, 135 - 139 (1985).
2. Kanapathipillai, M. et al., Ectoine and hydroxyectoine inhibit aggregation and neurotoxicity of Alzheimer’s b-amyloid. FEBS Letters, 579, 4775- 4780 (2005).
3. Kolp, S. et al., Compatible solutes as protectants for zymogens against proteolysis. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1764, 1234-1242 (2006).
4. Buommino, E. et al., Ectoine from halophilic microorganisms induces the expression of hsp70 and hsp70B′ in human keratinocytes modulating the proinflammatory response. Cell stress & chap., 10, 197-203 (2005).

Ectoine Preparation Products And Raw materials

Raw materials

Preparation Products

Global( 663)Suppliers
Supplier Tel Email Country ProdList Advantage
Huzhou Haipu Chemical Co.,Ltd
+86-0572 2526078; +8613757061525 xatyang@acetylacetone.net China 26 58
BINBO BIOLOGICAL CO.,LTD
+8618629063126 info@binbobiological.com China 477 58
ZhenYiBio Technology Inc
+8615309206328 alexxue@zhenyibio.com China 299 58
Chongqing Zhihe Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
+86-18580541567 +86-17782035140 sales@zhswyy.com China 240 58
WeiTai BioPharmaceutical Co.,Ltd(Hangzhou)
+86-57182358004 13588810720 sales1@weitai-pharmaceutical.com China 61 58
GIHI CHEMICALS CO.,LIMITED
+86-571-86217390; +8618058761490 info@gihichemicals.com China 49968 58
Shanghai Enviko Biotechnologyg Co.,Ltd
13918629532 info@envikobio.com China 359 58
Sinoway Industrial co., ltd.
+86-0592-5800732 +86-13806035118 xie@china-sinoway.com China 1369 58
Shanghai Bojing Chemical Co.,Ltd.
+86-86-02137122233 +8613795318958 bj1@bj-chem.com China 299 55
Hebei Chuanghai Biotechnology Co., Ltd
+8615350571055 Sibel@chuanghaibio.com China 8738 58

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Related Qustion

Ask a question
Q:What does ectoine do in eye drops?wipes - Jan 28,2026
A:In eye drops, ectoine is a potent biological protective and soothing active ingredient that utilizes its natural penetrating protective and anti-inflammatory properties to provide targeted benefits for ocular surface health. Its main mechanism of action is to form a gentle, hydrophilic protective film on the delicate cornea and conjunctiva, locking in moisture, replenishing the eye's natural tear film, and strengthening the ocular barrier—thereby relieving dryness, stinging, burning, and foreign body sensation caused by dry eye syndrome, environmental stress (such as eye fatigue caused by wind, air conditioning, UV radiation, and digital products), or mild eye irritation.
Q:What is ectoine used for?jia - Jan 28,2026
A:Ectoine is a naturally occurring, compatible solute produced by various extremophiles to survive in extreme environmental conditions such as high salinity, extreme temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, and drought. It is primarily used as a potent bioactive ingredient in the cosmetics and skincare industries: it possesses excellent moisturizing, hydrating, and skin barrier repair properties, relieving skin irritation and sensitivity caused by environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation, dry air, and harsh skincare products, and soothing inflamed or damaged skin. Therefore, it is an ideal ingredient in formulations for sensitive, dry, or sunburned skin (such as serums, creams, and toners). Beyond cosmetics, ectoine also has broad application prospects in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields: it can protect proteins, enzymes, and cell membranes from denaturation and damage under extreme conditions, and is therefore used to stabilize the production, storage, and transportation of biopharmaceutical products such as vaccines, antibodies, and recombinant proteins.

View Lastest Price from Ectoine manufacturers

Image Update time Product Price Min. Order Purity Supply Ability Manufacturer
Ectoine pictures 2026-04-18 Ectoine
96702-03-3
US $0.00-0.00 / kg 1kg 98% 10000 Changsha Staherb Natural Ingredients Co., Ltd.
Ectoin pictures 2026-04-18 Ectoin
96702-03-3
US $0.00 / Kg/Drum 1KG 99% 200mt/year Jinan Finer Chemical Co., Ltd
Ectoine pictures 2026-04-17 Ectoine
96702-03-3
US $0.00-0.00 / kg 1kg 98%min HPLC 100KGS WUHAN FORTUNA CHEMICAL CO., LTD
  • Ectoine pictures
  • Ectoine
    96702-03-3
  • US $0.00-0.00 / kg
  • 98%
  • Changsha Staherb Natural Ingredients Co., Ltd.
  • Ectoin pictures
  • Ectoin
    96702-03-3
  • US $0.00 / Kg/Drum
  • 99%
  • Jinan Finer Chemical Co., Ltd
  • Ectoine pictures
  • Ectoine
    96702-03-3
  • US $0.00-0.00 / kg
  • 98%min HPLC
  • WUHAN FORTUNA CHEMICAL CO., LTD

Ectoine Spectrum

(S)-2-METHYL-1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID THP[B] ECTOINE 2-METHYL-1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID (S)-1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidincarbonsure ECTOINE BIOCHEMIKA 99% Ectoine sodium salt monohydrate 4-Pyrimidinecarboxylicacid,1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-,(4S)-(9CI) (S)-1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid NSC 614616 Pyrostatine B Thp(B), (S)-2-Methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid Ectoin Cosmetics Material Long Lasting Moisturizing 96702-03-3 HPLC 99% factory price for Ectoine 96702-03-3 Tetrahydropyrimidine carboxylic acid In accordance with g for more Four hydrogen pyridine (4S)-2-METHYL-1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID 4-Pyrimidinecarboxylicacid, 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-, (4S)- Nano Liposomal ECTOINE (S)-2-Methyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid L-Ectoine ECTOINE98% 2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid ECTOINE ISO 9001:2015 REACH Ectoin (API) Factory Supplier Ectoine CAS: 96702-03-3 Ikdoin (S)-1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4pyrimidinecarboxylic acid(Ectoine) 2-METHYL-1,4,5,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CAChemicalbookRBOXYLICACID ECTOINEBIOCHEMIKA99% Ectoin/Ectoine Icytoin Ikedoin Ecdoine Ekdoine tetrahydropyrimidine (S)-2-Methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid (Ectoine) Tetrahydromethylpyrimidinecarboxylic acid Natural Ectoine (4S)-2-Methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid Hydrate and Encase moisture Ectone THP(B)|||L-Ectoine Ectonine Cosmetic Raw Material Bulk 99% Ectoin/Ection Powder for Sale (S)-1,4,5,6-Tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic aci Cyproconazole Impurity 2 96702-03-3 Tetrahydropyrimidine carboxylic acid Ectoine(Tetrahydro-methyl-pyrimidine-carboxylicacid) HydraFix-Pro Ekodoin/Tetrahydropyrimidine Carboxylic Acid Oil-Soluble ECTOIN ECTOIN RonaCare 96702-03-3 96702-03-03 96702-03-2 97602-03-3