MOLECULE

N-Methylnicotinate

N-Methylnicotinate or Trigonelline, also known as caffearin or gynesine, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alkaloids and derivatives. These are naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. In addition to carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, alkaloids may also contain oxygen, sulfur and more rarely other elements such as chlorine, bromine, and phosphorus. Trigonelline is a moderately acidic compound. Trigonelline exists in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans. It is a product of the metabolism of niacin (vitamin B3) and it is excreted in the urine. Trigonelline in urine is a biomarker for the consumption of coffee, legumes and soy products. Trigonelline is found in highest concentrations in arabica coffee, fenugreeks, and common pea and in lower concentrations in yellow bell peppers, orange bell peppers, and muskmelons. Trigonelline has also been detected in rices, triticales, alfalfa, cereals and cereal products, ryes fenugreek seeds, garden peas, hemp seed (Cannabis sativa; PMID: 6991645), oats and potatoes. Trigonelline may reduce dental caries by preventing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from adhering to teeth. It also has shown anti-carcinogenic and anti-hyperglycemic effects in several studies (PMID: 22680628; PMID: 31896496; PMID: 31363374).