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Trimethylglycine
Last updated: 19/02/2026
(Also known as: TMG; sugarbeet component; betaine; glycine betaine; oxyneurine)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A naturally occurring substance with multiple uses in animal health and welfare
Examples of veterinary uses
Used to prevent coccidiosis in poultry, to relieve the osmotic pressure on the fish when moved from freshwater to saltwater and used as feed supplementation to help decrease the amount of adipose tissue in pigs
Examples of species treated
Poultry; Salmon; Pigs
Approval status
VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)
Approved - usually available as an over-the-counter preparation
EU Regulatory approval status
Approved
Chemical structure
Isomerism
Trimethylglycine is not isomeric using the classic definition but it is a zwitterion, meaning it exists in two forms: the neutral form and the charged form. This dipolar zwitterionic compound contains both a positively charged quaternary ammonium group and a negatively charged carboxylate group thus is electrically neutral overall.
Chemical formula
C₅H₁₁NO₂
Canonical SMILES
C[N+](C)(C)CC(=O)[O-]
Isomeric SMILES
-
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
KWIUHFFTVRNATP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C5H11NO2/c1-6(2,3)4-5(7)8/h4H2,1-3H3
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams
Common Name Relationship Link
trimethylglycine -
General status
Veterinary substance type
Anticoccidiosis drug; Feed supplement
Other bioactivity & uses
Pharmaceutical; Biostimulant - improved disease resiliance, growth enhancement and quality traits; Plant elicitor
Substance groups
Plant-derived substance; Animal derived substance; Amino-acid derivative
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Natural
Mode of action
Not direct fungicidal activity but acts through indirect modes of action including as an osmo-protectant & resistance inducer which up-regulates the plants own defences against fungal infections.
Molecular targets
-
CAS RN
107-43-7
EC number
203-490-6
CIPAC number
-
US EPA chemical code
-
PubChem CID
247
Therapeutic Class
-
ATCvet Code
None allocated
Controlled Drug?
No
Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification
-
Molecular mass
117.15
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
2-(trimethylazaniumyl)acetate
CAS name
N,N,N-trimethylglycine
Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under
UK Poisons List Order 1972 Rotterdam Convention Montreal Protocol
XNo
The Poisons List Order 1972
XNo
Rotterdam Convention
XNo
Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention OSPAR EU Water Framework Directive
XNo
Stockholm Convention
XNo
OSPAR
XNo
EU Water Framework Directive
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Forever chemical
-
Other status information
-
Physical state
Colourless solid
Related substances & organisms
Commercial
Property
Value
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
-
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Not manufactured directly for use as a pesticide
Example products using this active
-
Formulation and application details
-
Commercial production
Not commercially manufactered for use as a pesticide but is obtained as a byproduct of sugar refining from molasses. In most organisms, trimethylglycine is biosynthesised by oxidation of choline
Impact on climate of production and use
-
ENVIRONMENTAL FATE
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Solubility - In water at 20 °C at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)
611000
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 High
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Melting point (°C)
180
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Boiling point (°C)
293
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 -
Degradation point (°C)
293
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Flashpoint (°C)
- - -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
1.17 X 10-03 Calculated -
Log P
-2.93
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 Low
Fat solubility of residues
Solubility
- - -
Data type
- - -
Density (g ml⁻¹)
- - -
Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C
1.832
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 -
One protonated cation
Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)
7.11 X 10-02
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 Low volatility
Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)
3.96
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 Moderately volatile
Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost
From plant surface
- - -
From soil surface
- - -
Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹
Max absorption at 200nm, no detectable absorption between 240nm and 800nm
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
 -
Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)
- - -
Refractive Index
- - -
Environmental release
As a naturally occurring substance in both plants and animals, trimethylglycine is not considered environmentally hazardous.
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
- - -
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
Note
Naturally occurring substance
Manure DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7
Value
- - -
Note
-
Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7
Value
- - -
Note
-
Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)
0.22
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
 Fast
Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)
- - -
Air degradation
As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.
Decay in stored produce DT₅₀
-
Soil adsorption and mobility
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Linear
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
- - -
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
-
Notes and range
-
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
- - -
Kfoc (mL g⁻¹)
-
1/n
-
Notes and range
-
pH sensitivity
-
Fate indices
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
GUS leaching potential index
- - -
Bio-concentration factor
BCF (l kg⁻¹)
- - -
CT₅₀ (days)
- -
Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 5000
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
> 1560
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat		 Low
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 2000
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
4 = Verified data
Unknown species		 Low
Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
- - -
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
- - -
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Non-target plants
Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)
> 17900
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Avena sativa		 -
Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)
> 17900
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Avena sativa		 -
Honeybees (Apis spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
> 527
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Apis mellifera		 Low
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
> 527
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Apis mellifera		 Low
Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic
- - -
Notes
-
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
-
Mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)
- - -
Other bee species (1)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Other bee species (2)
Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)
- - -
Mode of exposure
-
Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Lacewings)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Butterflies)
Contact
- - -
Notes
-
Oral
- - -
Notes
-
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
Marine bivalves
- - -
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
General
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)
- - -
Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
> 5000
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
> 1560
P5 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators
5 = Verified data used for regulatory purposes
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)
- - -
Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Other Mammal toxicity endpoints
- - -
ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)
- - -
Dermal penetration studies (%)
- - -
Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464
- - -
Exposure Routes
Public
-
Occupational
-
Mammalian dose elimination route and rate
Eliminated through metabolism in the liver and kidneys, and not through direct excretion, its clearance is a gradual process
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Health issues
Specific human health issues (hazard-based)
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
XNo, known not to cause a problem
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
0 = No data
 No data found
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
No data found No data found No data found
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
XNo, known not to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
 No data found  
General human health issues
May cause diarrhea, bloating, cramps, dyspepsia, nausea or vomiting; Generally considered to offer human health benefits including supporting heart health, increasing athletic performance and promoting healthy insulin levels
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
TMG is hydrophilic
Not expected to auto-ignite; Not highly flammable
CLP classification 2013
Health: H315, H319
WHO Classification
Not listed (Not listed)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging
-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
-
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
trimethylglycine
French
-
German
-
Danish
-
Italian
-
Spanish
-
Greek
-
Polish
-
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
-
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 19/02/2026
Contact: aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as: Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242

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