Taurine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Taurine (from taurus = ox, as it was discovered in ox bile) or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid is an acidic chemical substance found in bile which acts as an emulsifier for ingested lipids and assists in their absorption.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Taurine may also come from synthetic materials.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Chemically it is a colorless crystalline substance with the empirical formula CHNOS, formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid or decarboxylation of cysteine. Found in the bile, as well as juices and fluids of muscle, lungs and nerve tissue of many animals, and plays several important roles in the body and is essential to newborns of many species. While it is often refered to as an amino acid, this is an inaccurate catergorization since it does not contain any carboxylic acid functional groups.

Taurus: Taurus may refer to:...

Bile: Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by the liver of most vertebrates. In many species, it is stored in the gallbladder between meals and upon eating is discharged into the duodenum where it aids the process of digestion....

Emulsifier: REDIRECT emulsion#Emulsifier...