Trimethylglycine (betaine) is a very common molecule in nature. It can be found in shellfish (6-14g/kg) and in sugar beets and is a by-product of sugar beet processing, where it reaches a content of 8% molasses.
The pure form, obtained through separation from molasses by industrial chromatography, has been employed in diet supplements in the United States, in animal feed (0.2 to 15 g/kg) and such industrial applications as anti-corrosive heat exchange liquids. In-depth studies have been carried out in order to understand its unusual behavior in water.
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