Ergothioneine

Ergothioneine is a L-histidine derivative that is Nalpha,Nalpha,Nalpha-trimethyl-L-histidine in which the hydrogen at position 2 on the imdazole ring is replaced by a mercapto group. A naturally occurring metabolite of histidine synthesized by bacteria and fungi with antioxidant properties. It is found ubiquitously in plants and animals and is present in many human foodstuffs. Among its listed roles, it functions as a antioxidant, a chelator, a xenobiotic metabolite, a plant metabolite and a fungal metabolite. It is an amino-acid betaine, a sulfur-containing amino acid and a L-histidine derivative. It is the conjugate base of ergothioneine(1+). It exists as a tautomer of a ergothioneine thione form. The directory classifies it as a commercial API with a fermentation-derived source/manufacturing origin. Other names for this substance include Sympectothion, Thioneine and Thiasine. Its PubChem CID is 5351619.