Introduction of Taurine

Taurine, also known as β-aminoethanesulfonic acid, was first isolated from oxalis, hence its name. Taurine is chemically stable, insoluble in organic solvents such as ether, and is a sulfur-containing non-protein amino acid, which exists in a free state in the body and does not participate in protein biosynthesis.

Although taurine is not involved in protein synthesis, it is closely related to the metabolism of cystine and cysteine.

Previous studies have found that although the human body can synthesize taurine, it is mainly obtained exogenously in the early stages of life. It plays an important role in the growth and development of fetuses, infants and young children, and its deficiency can lead to functional impairments in skeletal muscle, retina and central nervous system.

For ordinary healthy people, there is no need to deliberately supplement taurine, not to mention the way to drink functional drinks to supplement, from the daily dietary intake is sufficient.

Sources of Taurine

Taurine in humans and animals comes from endogenous synthesis on the one hand, and from dietary intake on the other. Endogenous synthesis occurs through a catalytic reaction in the liver using methionine and cysteine as substrates, but the ability to synthesize taurine decreases with age.

Population studies have shown that blood levels of taurine gradually decrease with age after 20 years of age. Animal studies have also shown that taurine levels in the skin of SD rats decrease with age. There are also studies that show a decrease in the metabolism of sulfur amino acids in the livers of 30-month-old mice, and a decrease in S-adenosylhomocysteine and homocysteine, which ultimately affects the synthesis of taurine.

In addition, taurine synthesis is also affected by poor hepatic function and reduced availability of amino acid precursors during stress or disease. Therefore, taurine supplementation through dietary intake is essential.

Since methionine and cysteine, the raw materials for taurine synthesis, are present in low concentrations in most proteins of plant origin (e.g., corn, potatoes, rice, wheat, and vegetables), taurine is virtually absent in foods of plant origin. The body’s intake of taurine is dominated by the rich content of fish and shellfish and meat, especially shellfish with higher content (Table 1).

Functions of taurine

1. Immunomodulation

2. Regulation of lipid metabolism

3. Protect the nervous system, improve memory

4. Relieve physical fatigue

5. Relieve vision fatigue

6. Protect cardiovascular system

7.Protect liver damage

Application of Taurine

Taurine is both a spice for food synthesis and a nutritional enhancer, and is now widely used in milk powder, beverages, infant formulas, special medical foods, and health foods.

1. Application in beverage

Taurine is with the red bull into the public’s field of vision, and then many energy drinks have taurine applied in the product, according to the food partner network product database shows that nearly 50 companies in the beverage products added taurine, of which Wahaha, Red Bull, Nongfusanquan, Coca-Cola, Want Want Group’s brand application of the most.

2. Application in milk powder

The application of taurine in milk powder is generally aimed at nutritional enhancement. The application amount in prepared milk and flavored fermented milk is 0.1-0.5g/kg; the application amount in prepared milk powder, cheese and reconstituted cheese, and other dairy products is 0.3-0.5g/kg.

According to the product database of FoodPartner.com, nearly 50 enterprises have added taurine in milk powder, among which Yili, Beingmei, Shengyuan, Wundashan and Mengniu’s brands have applied it most.

3. Application in infant formula foods

The new national standard has made strict restrictions on the addition of taurine. 1-section milk powder does not have strict restrictions on the minimum value, but the added amount should not be higher than 3mg/100kJ; the added amount of 2 and 3-section should be between 0.8-4.0mg/100kJ. Compared with the previous, the new national standard in the 2, 3 paragraphs of milk powder to increase the minimum limit value at the same time, but also raised the maximum limit value, to further standardize the taurine addition threshold. Taurine is used as an important nutritional element for brain development in common infant formulae on the market.

According to the product database of FoodPartner.com, nearly 50 companies have added taurine in infant formula, and its brands under Feihe, Junlebao, Yili, Wundashan, and Beingmei have the most applications.

4. Application in Specialty Foods

According to GB25596-2010 “Food Safety National Standard General Principles for Infant and Toddler Formulas for Special Medical Purposes” and GB29922-2013 “Food Safety National Standard General Principles for Formulas for Special Medical Purposes”, taurine is listed as an optional ingredient. In addition, some products such as formulas for food protein allergy, lactose intolerance, and preterm/low birth weight infants also contain taurine.

According to the product database of FoodPartner.com, nearly 30 companies have added taurine in specialty foods, with the most applications under the brands of Nestle, Nutricia, Abbott, Wyeth and Mead Johnson.

5. Application in health food

Through the National Market Supervision Administration of health food registration data query shows that there are 239 products containing taurine raw materials, products registered health products are mainly 9 types of efficacy: to enhance immunity; to relieve physical fatigue; to improve tolerance to hypoxia; to assist in improving memory; to promote lead excretion, to improve growth and development; to the gastric mucosa with auxiliary protective function, regulating intestinal flora; to relieve physical fatigue, chemical liver injury has a Relieve physical fatigue and chemical liver damage; Relieve visual fatigue; Anti-fatigue and regulate blood lipid.

China is the world’s largest producer of taurine, and with the continuous growth of international demand and the continuous improvement of recognition and support in various domestic fields, the production of taurine will also be further increased. According to data, from 2017 to 2020, China’s production of taurine maintained steady growth, and in 2021, the production of taurine reached 80,000 tons, up 12.7% year-on-year from 2020. It can be seen that the future of taurine in a number of fields of application also has great potential.