BMF 48: Melamine-[15N3]
Melamine is a trimer of cyanamide with a 1,3,5triazine skeleton. It contains 66% nitrogen by
mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant
properties due to release of nitrogen. It is most
commonly encountered as melamine resin in
combination with formaldehyde, which is a very
durable thermosetting plastic used among other
things for dinnerware, countertops and cooking
spoons.
Melamine recently caught the world’s atten-
tion for another reason - babies in China
and pets in the USA became ill after having
consumed foodstuffs containing this
chemical.
15
H2 N
Melamine had been added to low quality pet
food and infant formula to make the protein content appear higher than it actually is. Simple
protein tests uses nitrogen content as a measure
for proteins, and addition of protein-rich compounds like melamine therefore alters the results.
15
N
N
NH2
N
15
NH2
Melamine is relatively non-toxic to humans, but in combination with cyanuric acid it is absorbed into
the bloodstream, where they concentrate and interact in the urine-filled renal microtubules.
Melamine-cyanurate then crystallize and form large numbers of round, yellow crystals, which block
and damage the renal cells that line the tubes, causing the kidneys to malfunction.
Chiron AS now offers both native and 15N-labelled melamine for analytical work,
as well as the related products ammeline and ammedine!
H2N
NH2
N
N
N
HO
N
N
NH2
Melamine
Chiron No.
NH2
N
N
HO
N
OH
N
NH2
NH2
Ammeline
Ammelide
Product
2528.3
1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triamine (Melamine)
9797.3
1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triamine-[15N3] (Melamine-[15N3])
8735.3
Ammelide
8736.3
Ammeline
Available as 100µg/mL solution in methanol (1mL), 2528.3 also available as neat material.
www.chiron.no sales@chiron.no Tel.:+4773874490
Fax:+4773874499 BMFocus 48 _v2 p.1/1, 09/11
page 1 of 1
Campro Scientific GmbH - Germany
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•
Campro Scientific GmbH - The Netherlands
P.O. Box 316 • NL-3900 AH Veenendaal • Phone +31.(0)318.529.437 • Fax +31.(0)318.542.181 • info.nl@campro.eu • www.campro.eu