Betaine is a kind of quaternary ammonium type water-soluble alkaloid widely distributed in animals,
plants and microorganisms. It is the oxidation product of choline in organism. It can enhance immunity,
reduce blood lipid, resist oxidation and anti-tumor. It can also be used as a methyl donor to promote
protein and fat metabolism, increase appetite, relieve stress, regulate osmotic pressure, stabilize vitamins
and other biological functions It is widely used in chemical industry, medicine, food additive and other
fields.
Under strong acid conditions, betaine reacts with Raynaud salt to produce precipitation. The precipitation
is dissolved in acetone to form a red solution. There is a characteristic absorption peak at 525 nm. The
absorption value at 525 nm is determined to obtain the content of betaine in the sample.
Reagents and Equipment Required but Not Provided.
Table type centrifuge, spectrophotometer/microplate reader, water-bath, micro glass cuvette/96 well flat-
bottom plate, transferpettor, mortar/homogenizer, methanol, ether, HCl, distilled water.
