Melamine, an organic chemical with the formula C3 H6 N6 , has now been found in baby formula imported from China. Previously, melamine has been found in food manufactured in China that was intended for pets, resulting in recalls of the affected products in 2007. Ingestion of melamine can lead to reproductive damage, kidney damage, kidney stones, and bladder cancer. [1] [2] [3]
The question arises about how this chemical can even find its way into food. Another question is whether the introduction of melamine was intentional or accidental. By looking at the chemical structure of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and melamine, the answers should become clear. And, most important, how exactly does melamine cause death?
The amino acids found in protein contains an amine group, hence the name amino acid. All amino acids characteristically have the amine group -NH2 as part of the amino acid chemical structure. It is the remaining chemical structure that is different for each amino acid. Glycine, an amino acid, has the chemical formula NH2 CH2 COOH. Alanine, another amino acid, has the formula HO2 CCH(NH2 )CH3 . Looking at the formulas, the NH2 amine group is apparent. It is the -NH2 signature that identifies an amino acid. Various types of specialized laboratory equipment can be used to identify the -NH2 group.
Melamine also contains the amine group -NH2 . In fact, melamine contains 3 of these amine groups. With the same signature as an amino acid, melamine can easily be mistaken for an amino acid. Masquerading as an amino acid, melamine makes the protein content of the food appear much higher than it really is. The chemical structure of melamine can be seen here – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Melamine.svg
The -NH2 group of melamine can make it appear that the protein content of the food is higher than it really is. This is because testing procedures identify protein by looking for the amine group. Amine groups are found in proteins, but not in fats or carbohydrates. We must conclude nothing less than deception on the part of the Chinese manufacturer Sanlu Group. We must also conclude that melamine was introduced into the products intentionally, and was not accidental.
When melamine enters the body, a portion of it is eliminated, and a portion of it participates in chemical reactions where it is converted to some other chemical compounds. These other chemicals are cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide. None of these chemicals are supposed to be found in the human body. These chemicals, however, can enter the human body in two ways. The first way is they can be ingested along with the melamine. The second way is that melamine can be subsequently converted to these compounds after it is ingested.
The FDA calls cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide melamine-related compounds [4]. Cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide are found in the laboratory synthesis of melamine. Ammeline is synthesized from urea, and is the first step in melamine synthesis. Further hydrolysis yields ammelide. Cyanuric acid can be produced by the thermal decomposition of melamine. [5] The connection between cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide is more than a casual one, in fact, it is very clear. These melamine-related compounds are similar in structure to melamine. If cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide are found present in food along with melamine, it is clear evidence that the manufacturing process used to make the melamine was very sloppy. In fact, sloppy chemistry suggests that other intermediate compounds used in melamine synthesis may also exist in the food.
The conversion to melamine in the human body to cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide is poorly understood by examining human biochemistry. The biochemical pathways in human metabolism to facilitate its conversion cannot be easily identified. What is overlooked, however, is the large variety of microbial organisms inhabiting the intestinal tract. These microbes include beneficial bacteria, beneficial yeast, and, in some cases, non-beneficial bacteria and non-beneficial yeast. These microbes have a metabolism of their own, and have the capability to synthesize and break down chemical compounds that we, as humans, cannot. There are some bacteria that have specialized enzymes that can break down melamine into various components, such as cyanuric acid, ammeline, and ammelide. Two of these specialized enzymes are Melamine Deaminase and Atrazine Chlorohydrolase. These enzymes belong to the class called amidohydrolase.
Cyanuric acid is most commonly used as a chlorine stabilizer for swimming pools. It is toxic to the kidneys. The combinatoin of cyanuric acid and melamine crystalizes in the kidneys, causing kidney stones to be formed. The crystals block the tubules in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure. This is, in fact, the mechanism that causes death.
A basic rule of modern day society regarding controversies applies in the melamine case. This rule is, that for every controversy, two diametrically opposing views will be discovered. These two views can be always reduced to two reasons surrounding the controversy, the real reason and the stated reason. The stated reason is always what will calm the public. Following the money trail, one will always arrive at the real reason. In the book Why Am I Sick? And What To Do About It , available on Amazon today, this principal is discussed with respect to health care. It is just a matter of time before someone claims melamine is safe. Do not believe any statements that are intended to calm the public regarding melamine.
Deception is not an uncommon practice for China. I would not recommend consuming any food products made in China. The “Made in China” label is synonymous with deception and poor quality. Who knows what other undetected toxic substances are put in the food by the Chinese. While the Chinese have issued a formal apology, it shoud not be accepted until such time that they can bring the dead babies back to life.
Since I have originally published this, many people have emaled me for additional information. The Wikipedia reference, found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_baby_milk_scandal contains more information.
My follow-up to this article, addressing the FDA’s recently published position on melamine, can be found here .
References:
[1] http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_250440.html
[2] http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_250440.html
[3] http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol73/volume73.pdf
[4] http://www.fda.gov/cvm/menufoodrecallfaq.htm
[5] B. Bann and S.A. Miller, “Melamines and derivatives of melamine”,Chemical Reviews, vol.58, p131-172 (1958).
Updated 9/27/08 to address common questions
