MOLECULE

Butan-1-amine

1-Butylamine, also known as 1-aminobutan or N-C4H9NH2, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as monoalkylamines. These are organic compounds containing an primary aliphatic amine group. 1-Butylamine is a very strong basic compound (based on its pKa). Butylamine is a colourless liquid which acquires a yellow colour when exposed to air during storage. 1-Butylamine is an ammonia and fishy tasting compound. Outside of the human body, 1-Butylamine has been detected, but not quantified in several different foods, such as cocoa and cocoa products, brassicas, fishes, garden tomato, and milk and milk products. This could make 1-butylamine a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. It is one of the four isomeric amines of butane. It is known to have the fishy, ammonia-like odor common to amines. Also found in mulberry leaves, kale, swede, tomato, wheat bread, cheeses, caviar, raw fatty fish, cooked chicken or beef, beer, cocoa, and other foodstuffs. Butan-1-amine is also found in cannabis plants (PMID: 6991645).