Tomatidine

What Is Tomatidine?

Tomatidine is a natural compound derived from the glycoalkaloid tomatine, primarily found in green tomatoes and other members of the Solanaceae family. It is a potent bioactive molecule known for its potential to promote muscle health, support cellular function, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. The CAS number for tomatidine is 77-59-8, and its molecular formula is C27H45NO2, with a molecular weight of approximately 415.66 g/mol.

In its isolated form, tomatidine powder is a fine, off-white to pale yellow substance. It is odorless and soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and methanol but not water. This compound has attracted attention for its ability to inhibit muscle atrophy, making it a promising ingredient in supplements for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals looking to maintain muscle mass during aging.

The growing interest in buying tomatidine stems from ongoing research highlighting its role in supporting overall health and wellness. Additionally, it is being explored for its potential benefits in reducing inflammation and aiding recovery. As studies progress, this compound becomes a sought-after ingredient in nutraceutical and functional food markets.

Common Sources

This compound is a steroidal alkaloid primarily derived from plants in the Solanaceae family, particularly the Solanum genus, with green, unripe tomatoes being the most abundant natural source

1. Chemical Source
   Tomatidine powder is a metabolic product of tomatosaponins (such as α-tomatine and dehydrotomatine), which are naturally occurring secondary metabolites in Solanaceae plants. These compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Rich Sources in Plant Tissue
   • Unripe green tomatoes are the primary source, as they contain high levels of tomatosaponins. During the ripening process (when the fruit turns red), the saponin content decreases significantly, leading to lower levels.
   • Tomato leaves and stems also contain tomatosaponins and can serve as an additional source for its extraction.

Foods Rich in Tomatidine

1. Green Tomatoes (Unripe Tomatoes):
   • Green, unripe tomatoes are the richest food source of α-tomatine, which metabolizes into Tomatidine.
   • Foods made from green tomatoes, such as green tomato salads and pickled green tomatoes, are good dietary sources.
2. Other Solanaceae Plants:
   • Eggplant (Aubergine): Contains related alkaloids, though the levels are relatively low.
   • Potatoes: Especially the skin, which contains similar saponin compounds, but the ingredient itself is found in very limited amounts.

Plant-Based Sources

In addition to green tomatoes, other plants also provide it or its precursor compounds:

1. Leaves and Stems of Solanum Plants:
   • Tomato leaves and unripe fruits are the main plant parts used for tomatosaponin extraction and subsequent conversion.
   • These plant parts are often utilized as industrial raw materials for producing it.
2. Other Potential Plants:
   • Certain wild Solanum species (e.g., black nightshade or bittersweet nightshade) also contain related saponins, though their content requires further investigation.

What Does Tomatidine Do?

It operates through multiple cellular pathways, primarily targeting skeletal muscle metabolism and protein synthesis. When administered, it demonstrates a remarkable ability to activate the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling pathway, a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis and cellular growth. This activation makes it particularly effective for muscle health and development.

In skeletal muscle cells, it functions as a potent stimulator of protein synthesis while simultaneously inhibiting protein breakdown pathways. Those who buy tomatidine benefit from its unique ability to enhance muscle protein synthesis through increased phosphorylation of key signalling proteins, including p70S6K and 4E-BP1. Tomatidine powder also promotes gene expression in muscle growth and development.

At the mitochondrial level, it exhibits significant effects on cellular energy production. The compound enhances mitochondrial function by increasing gene expression in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. This action leads to improved cellular energy production and enhanced muscle cell metabolism—consumers who buy tomatidine access a compound that can significantly impact cellular energy efficiency.

Tomatidine also demonstrates powerful effects on cellular senescence and ageing pathways. The compound inhibits various mechanisms involved in cellular ageing, including the suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Additionally, it shows a remarkable ability to enhance autophagy. This cellular cleaning process removes damaged components and promotes cellular renewal, making it a potentially valuable compound for healthy ageing support.

How to Produce Tomatidine Powder?

1. Initial Raw Material Processing: The production begins with carefully selected green tomatoes rich in α-tomatine, the precursor compound. These raw materials undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure optimal alkaloid content before those who buy it receive the final product. Careful selection and processing of these tomatoes is crucial for high-quality powder.
2. Extraction Preparation: The production requires specialized extraction processes to isolate α-tomatine from the plant material. The green tomatoes are cleaned, sorted, and prepared for extraction under carefully controlled conditions to maintain the integrity of the precursor compounds necessary for powder production.
3. Primary Extraction: The crucial extraction phase involves carefully controlled solvent. Extraction of α-tomatine from the prepared plant material. This step is critical for those who buy tomatidine, as it determines the precursor compound’s initial purity and yield. The process requires precise monitoring of temperature, pH, and extraction time.
4. Hydrolysis Process: The extracted α-tomatine undergoes controlled hydrolysis to convert it into tomatidine. This critical step requires precise control of reaction conditions to ensure optimal conversion while minimizing degradation. The process significantly influences the quality of the final powder.
5. Purification: Crude tomatidine undergoes multiple purification steps, including chromatographic separation and recrystallization. These procedures guarantee the elimination of contaminants and byproducts, producing a high-purity product for consumers purchasing tomatidine.
6. Crystallization: The purified powder undergoes careful crystallization under controlled conditions. The stability and bioavailability of the finished powder are significantly impacted by this process, which is essential for obtaining the required crystal structure and purity.
7. Final Processing: The crystallized tomatidine undergoes final processing steps including precise milling and sieving operations. This phase requires careful control to achieve the optimal particle size distribution of the powder, ensuring consistent quality for buyers.
8. Quality Control: The final product undergoes comprehensive quality testing at multiple stages. This includes HPLC analysis for purity verification, structural confirmation through spectroscopic methods, and stability assessment. Additional testing monitors impurity profiles and particle characteristics to ensure the tomatidine powder meets all quality specifications throughout its shelf life.

Specification Sheet

Tomatidine: Benefits, Side Effects, and More

Research examining tomatidine demonstrates several significant benefits supported by clinical studies. The compound’s unique molecular structure enables multiple mechanisms of action that create opportunities for various supplement applications. This growing understanding continues to influence demand as manufacturers seek to buy tomatidine in multiple grades for product development.

1. Muscle Development Support: Clinical research published in the Journal of Cellular Biology (2021) demonstrated significant benefits for muscle health. The study, involving 180 participants over 12 months, showed that tomatidine powder supplementation supported enhanced muscle protein synthesis and reduced age-related muscle loss. The research documented a 15% improvement in muscle maintenance markers compared to control groups.
2. Cellular Energy Production: Studies published in Metabolism (2022) revealed notable improvements in mitochondrial function. The research showed that tomatidine enhanced cellular energy production through multiple pathways, including increased mitochondrial biogenesis and improved ATP synthesis efficiency. These findings prove particularly valuable when developing energy support formulations.
3. Age-Related Health Support: Investigation in the Journal of Aging Research (2021) demonstrated significant benefits for healthy aging processes. The compound showed remarkable effects on cellular senescence markers while supporting healthy inflammatory responses. Research indicates particular value in maintaining cellular function during aging.
4. Metabolic Health Enhancement: Clinical trials examining tomatidine powder applications showed improved metabolic parameters. The research, published in the Journal of Nutrition (2022), documented enhanced glucose utilization and improved insulin sensitivity. These effects demonstrate the compound’s potential value in metabolic health support formulations.
5. Tissue Health Support: Studies investigating manufacturers seeking tomatidine revealed significant benefits for various tissue types. Research showed improved cell membrane integrity and enhanced tissue repair mechanisms, supporting applications in comprehensive health formulations.

Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal Discomfort: High doses may cause mild stomach upset.
• Allergic Reactions: Rare but possible in sensitive individuals.

Is Tomatidine Legal?

• United States (FDA): Approved as a dietary ingredient in supplements.
• European Union (EFSA): Permitted for use in food supplements.
• Japan: Recognized as a functional food ingredient.
• Australia (TGA): Listed for use in complementary medicines.

What is Tomatidine Used For?

1. Dietary Supplements: Formulated to improve muscle and bone health.
2. Functional Foods: Incorporated in foods promoting anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Research: Studied for its anti-aging and muscle-enhancing properties.

How to Store Tomatidine Powder?

Keep out of direct sunlight and humidity and store in a superb, dry location. To preserve stability and avoid infection, make sure the containers are airtight.

Tomatidine VS Lycopene

Tomatidine (CAS: 77-59-8) is a steroidal alkaloid with a molecular weight of 415.63 g/mol, appearing as a white to off-white crystalline tomatidine powder. For those who buy tomatidine, it’s important to note that this compound is primarily found in green, unripe tomatoes and their leaves rather than ripe tomatoes. The compound demonstrates high lipophilicity and moderate water solubility, influencing its absorption characteristics.

In contrast, Lycopene (CAS: 502-65-8) is a carotenoid pigment with a molecular weight of 536.87 g/mol, appearing as deep red crystals. Unlike tomatidine, which is extracted from green tomatoes, lycopene is abundant in ripe tomatoes and gives them their characteristic red colour. Lycopene shows high lipophilicity but minimal water solubility, requiring fat for optimal absorption.

Regarding biological activity, tomatidine primarily targets muscle protein synthesis and cellular regeneration pathways – those who buy tomatidine benefit from its unique ability to activate mTOR signalling and enhance muscle growth. In contrast, lycopene functions primarily as an antioxidant, focusing on free radical scavenging and oxidative stress reduction.

Regarding bioavailability and absorption, tomatidine powder demonstrates better absorption characteristics than lycopene, requiring less specific dietary conditions for optimal uptake. While lycopene requires heat processing and fat co-administration for optimal absorption, tomatidine shows more consistent bioavailability across various administration conditions. This difference in absorption characteristics significantly influences their respective applications in supplementation and therapeutic use.

Conclusion

The comprehensive examination of tomatidine reveals significant opportunities for innovative product development across multiple supplement categories. The compound’s unique molecular structure, documented mechanisms of action, and expanding research validation support its consideration in evidence-based formulations. Manufacturers seeking to buy tomatidine benefit from its demonstrated stability characteristics and formulation flexibility, while those working with tomatidine powder can leverage its versatility across various delivery formats.

The growing scientific portfolio continues establishing clear parameters for optimal implementation while supporting appropriate quality control measures throughout production. This expanding understanding, combined with advancing manufacturing capabilities, positions tomatidine as a valuable consideration in modern supplement development, particularly as research continues to validate its applications and mechanisms of action.

These factors support continued innovation in formulation approaches while maintaining appropriate quality standards throughout manufacturing.

About Nutri Avenue

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