denatonium benzoate

Denatonium benzoate is a quaternary ammonium compound and the most bitter chemical known to humans. It is primarily used as an aversive agent (bitterant) to prevent accidental or intentional ingestion of potentially harmful substances such as denatured alcohol, antifreeze, household products, and pesticides. It is also used in clinical trials to mimic the bitter taste of certain medications and in topical preparations to deter nail biting. Mechanistically, it acts as an agonist at multiple human bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), including TAS2R4, TAS2R8, TAS2R10, TAS2R13 among others. Activation of these receptors can trigger intracellular calcium signaling pathways leading to effects such as smooth muscle relaxation and hormone secretion modulation. In biological research settings it has been shown to stimulate insulin and GLP‑1 secretion from pancreatic cells via closure of KATP channels and activation of T2R signaling[3][7][10]. Denatonium was first synthesized in the 1950s by Macfarlan Smith Ltd., Scotland.

Brand names

BitrexDenatrolBITTERANT-bBITTER+PLUSBitrixAversion

Other names

denatonium (benzoate)benzyldiethyl((2,6‑xylylcarbamoyl)methyl)ammonium benzoateN-benzyl‑2-(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)-N,N-diethyl‑2‑oxoethanaminium benzoatelignocaine benzyl benzoatelidocaine benzyl benzoatedenatonium chloride (related salt)