Ectoine is a natural cell protectant, an amino acid (AA) analogue generated by bacteria living in extremely harsh environmental conditions. Ectoine is widely used in skin care as an osmoregulatory compatibility solute that increases hydration and stabilizes the lipid layer at the skin surface. Ectoine has a good safety profile and may be utilized to study allergic rhinitis.

Physicochemical Properties

Molecular Formula	C6H10N2O2
Molecular Weight	142.1558
Exact Mass	142.074
CAS #	96702-03-3
PubChem CID	126041
Appearance	White to off-white solid powder
Density	1.4±0.1 g/cm3
Boiling Point	381.5±35.0 °C at 760 mmHg
Melting Point	~280°
Flash Point	184.5±25.9 °C
Vapour Pressure	0.0±1.9 mmHg at 25°C
Index of Refraction	1.597
LogP	0.27
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	2
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	3
Rotatable Bond Count	1
Heavy Atom Count	10
Complexity	177
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count	1
SMILES	C([C@@H]1CCN=C(C)N1)(=O)O
InChi Key	WQXNXVUDBPYKBA-YFKPBYRVSA-N
InChi Code	InChI=1S/C6H10N2O2/c1-4-7-3-2-5(8-4)6(9)10/h5H,2-3H2,1H3,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/t5-/m0/s1
Chemical Name	(6S)-2-methyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid
HS Tariff Code	2934.99.9001
Storage	Powder-20°C 3 years 4°C 2 years In solvent -80°C 6 months -20°C 1 month Note: This product requires protection from light (avoid light exposure) during transportation and storage.
Shipping Condition	Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

Biological Activity

ln Vitro	Ectoine (0–5% (w/v); 0–24 hours; human RBCs) shields cells against SDS treatment-induced damage [1].
References	[1]. The multifunctional role of ectoine as a natural cell protectant. Clin Dermatol. 2008 Jul-Aug;26(4):326-33.
Additional Infomation	Ectoine is a carboxamidine heterocycle obtained by formal condensation of (2S)-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid with acetic acid. It has a role as an osmolyte. It is a carboxamidine, a member of 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines and a monocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of an ectoinate. It is a tautomer of an ectoine zwitterion. Ectoine is a metabolite found in or produced by Escherichia coli (strain K12, MG1655). Ectoine has been reported in Streptomyces nodosus, Methylophaga thalassica, and other organisms with data available.

Solubility Data

Solubility (In Vitro)	H2O : ~250 mg/mL (~1758.58 mM)
Solubility (In Vivo)	Solubility in Formulation 1: 100 mg/mL (703.43 mM) in PBS (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution; with sonication.  (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)

Preparing Stock Solutions		1 mg	5 mg	10 mg
	1 mM	7.0343 mL	35.1716 mL	70.3433 mL
	5 mM	1.4069 mL	7.0343 mL	14.0687 mL
	10 mM	0.7034 mL	3.5172 mL	7.0343 mL

*Note: Please select an appropriate solvent for the preparation of stock solution based on your experiment needs. For most products, DMSO can be used for preparing stock solutions (e.g. 5 mM, 10 mM, or 20 mM concentration); some products with high aqueous solubility may be dissolved in water directly. Solubility information is available at the above Solubility Data section. Once the stock solution is prepared, aliquot it to routine usage volumes and store at -20°C or -80°C. Avoid repeated freeze and thaw cycles.