Glycine, Gly, glycocoll, L-Glycine, Glycine BP, GLYCINE USP, BLOTTING BUFFER, Aminoacetic acid, GLYCINE TECHNICAL, Glycine (Food Grade), Glycine (Feed Grade), Glycine (Tech Grade), Glycine (Pharm Grade), 56-40-6 

Glycine, Gly, Glycine, Aminoacetic Acid, Glycocoll, 56-40-6

Glycine 

1. Product Identity

2. Synonyms and Identifiers

Glycine is known by many names across different industries and applications:

• Common Names: Gly, Glycine, Aminoacetic acid, Glycocoll

• Chemical Synonyms: H-Gly-OH, L-Glycine (used informally), Aminoethanoic acid

• Grade-Specific Names: Glycine BP, Glycine USP, USP24 Glycine USP24, Glycine (Food Grade), Glycine (Feed Grade), Glycine (Tech Grade), Glycine (Pharma Grade)

• Laboratory Names: Blotting Buffer, Glycine, Free Base

• IUPAC Name: 2-Aminoacetic acid

• InChI: InChI=1/C2H5NO2/c3-1-2(4)5/h1,3H2,(H,4,5)

• InChI Key: DHMQDGOQFOQNFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N

3. Physicochemical Properties

4. Solubility Information

5. Spectroscopic and Analytical Data

• Maximum Wavelength (λmax):

  • λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.05

  • λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.05

6. Production and Synthesis Methods

Glycine can be produced through several industrial methods:

1. Monochloroacetic Acid Amination (Most Common in China):

   • Ammonia water and ammonium bicarbonate are mixed and heated.

   • Chloroacetic acid solution is added dropwise.

   • The mixture is reacted, cooled, and crystallized.

   • The crude product is recrystallized from water/methanol.

   • Yield: ~42% (traditional) or up to 92-94% with urotropine (hexamine) as a catalyst.

   • Raw material consumption (per ton): Monochloroacetic acid (95%): 1600kg; Liquid ammonia: 880kg; Urotropine: 350kg; Methanol (95%): 1100kg.

2. Strecker Method:

   • Formaldehyde reacts with sodium cyanide (or potassium cyanide) and ammonium chloride.

   • Methylene amino acetonitrile is formed and then decomposed with sulfuric acid in ethanol.

   • Barium hydroxide is added, followed by sulfuric acid to precipitate barium.

   • The filtrate is concentrated to yield glycine crystals.

3. Biosynthetic Method:

   • Using selected microorganisms (Agrobacterium, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium) to convert ethanolamine or glycine amine to glycine.

   • High selectivity and environmentally friendly, but still under development.

4. Extraction from Natural Sources:

   • Hydrolysis of silk waste (waste silk) or gelatin with hydrochloric acid, followed by purification using ion exchange columns to separate glycine from other amino acids (alanine, serine).

5. Bucherer Method:

   • Using trioxymethylene, ammonium carbonate, and sodium cyanide to form hydantoin, followed by alkaline hydrolysis and ion exchange treatment.

7. Applications and Uses

Glycine is a versatile amino acid used across multiple industries:

Pharmaceutical Industry (Pharma Grade):

• Treatment of myasthenia gravis and progressive muscular atrophy.

• Antacid for hyperacidity and chronic enteritis (often combined with antacids).

• Buffer for chlortetracycline and other antibiotics.

• Raw material for the synthesis of L-dopa (anti-Parkinson's drug) and threonine.

• Source of nitrogen in amino acid injections.

• Reduces gastric irritation when combined with aspirin.

Food Industry (Food Grade):

• Flavor Enhancer: Adds sweetness and masks the bitter aftertaste of saccharin (limited to 0.2% in beverages).

• Seasoning: Used in soy sauce, soups, meat products, and alcoholic beverages (wine: 0.4%; champagne: 1.0%).

• Preservative: Inhibits Bacillus subtilis and E. coli in surimi products and peanut butter (1-2%).

• Buffering Agent: Stabilizes salt and vinegar flavors in pickled products (0.05-0.5%).

• Antioxidant: Chelates metals to extend shelf life of cream, cheese, and margarine (3-4 times longer).

• Bakery: Stabilizes lard in baked goods (with glucose).

Feed Industry (Feed Grade):

• Nutritional additive in chicken and livestock feed to promote growth.

Agriculture & Pesticides:

• Intermediate for the synthesis of glyphosate (herbicide), iprodione (fungicide), and pyrethroid insecticides.

Chemical Industry (Tech Grade):

• Fertilizer: Used as a non-toxic solvent for removing carbon dioxide in the nitrogen fertilizer industry.

• Electroplating: Added as a pH adjuster and complexing agent in plating solutions.

Biochemistry & Research:

• Electrophoresis: A key component of Tris-glycine and Tris-glycine-SDS running buffers for polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).

• Western Blot: Used in transfer buffers.

• Tissue Culture: Preparation of culture media.

• Analytical Reagent: Testing for copper, gold, and silver.

8. Safety and Toxicology

Handling Precautions:

• Avoid inhaling dust (use appropriate mask).

• Store in a closed container in a cool place (2-8°C recommended).

• Keep away from strong oxidizing agents.

9. Regulatory and Compliance Information

• FDA (USA): GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). Permitted as a source of amino acids (up to 3.5% of total protein in food, §172.320). Permitted as a bitter masker for saccharin (up to 0.2% in finished beverages, §172.812).

• FEMA: 3287 – Approved for use as a flavoring agent in beverages, candy, baked goods, meat, sausage, broth, and seasonings (typical usage: 150 mg/kg).

• JECFA: 1421 – Evaluated and accepted as a food additive.

• EU: Permitted food additive.

10. Upstream and Downstream Products

Raw Materials:

• Ammonium hydroxide

• Acetic acid

• Ammonia

• Charcoal

• Methyl alcohol (Methanol)

• Methenamine (Hexamine)

• Chloroacetic acid

Downstream Products:

• Dimethoxymethane

• Glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride

• Glyphosate (herbicide)

• Iprodione (fungicide)

• Thiamphenicol (antibiotic)

• Urea

• Ammonium nitrate

• Various amino acid derivatives

11. Key Notes on Usage and Benefits

• The Simplest Amino Acid: Glycine is the smallest of the 20 standard amino acids. Its side chain is a single hydrogen atom, allowing it to fit into tight spaces in protein structures, such as the collagen helix.

• Non-Essential: The human body can synthesize glycine, but supplementation may be beneficial in certain conditions.

• Zwitterion: Acts as a strong electrolyte in water, with both acidic and basic functional groups.

• Collagen Synthesis: Approximately one-third of collagen is glycine, making it essential for skin, bone, and joint health.

• Detoxification: Helps the liver remove toxins and supports glutathione production.

• Neurotransmitter: Acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, promoting calmness and improving sleep quality.

• Metal Chelation: Binds to minerals like magnesium and iron, improving their absorption and bioavailability.