Ectoine

(S )-2 -methyl-1 ,4,5,6 -tetrahydropyrimidine - 4-carboxylic acid

Colorless powder

Fixed

280 ° C

568.8 g · l-1

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Ectoine is one belonging to the group of compatible solutes natural products. The strong water-binding low molecular weight organic compound occurs in halophilic bacteria and allows these extremophile organisms to survive under stress conditions.

Occurrence

Ectoine is one of the most widely used compatible solutes. For the first time in the purple bacterium Halorhodospira halochloris (formerly Ectothiorhodospira halochloris called, therefore ectoine ) demonstrated ectoine occurs in a variety of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

Use

Ectoine is used as an active ingredient in skin care and sun protection. It stabilizes the natural structure of biopolymers such as proteins, nucleic acids and biomembranes and protects the skin against damage caused by stress factors such as UV radiation, drought, heat or cold. Ectoine is also used for the stabilization of proteins and cells, for example, during the freezing.