PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

H.S. CODE

TOXICITY

CLASSIFICATION

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

REFRACTIVE INDEX

NFPA RATINGS

AUTOIGNITION

FLASH POINT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION & APPLICATIONS

Acetylcysteine is the N-acetyl derivative of L-cysteine, an amino acid having a thiol group. L-Cysteine oxidizes to cystine, which is the dimeric form of cysteine joined by a disulfide bond. The disulfide bond is easily reduced to the corresponding thiol (-SH). N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is metabolized into glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine), a tripeptide existing in both the reduced thiol form and the oxidized disulfide form. It involves in various redox reactions such as the formation of disulfide bonds in proteinsthe  and destruction of peroxides and free radicals. This function confers antioxidant effects preventing oxidative damage by reduction of methemoglobin and peroxides. Acetylcysteine is used as a dietary supplement that is metabolized into the antioxidant glutathione. It has also been shown to have antiviral effects in patients with HIV due to inhibition of viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates. Acetylcysteine is used as a mucolytic agent which is capable of reducing the viscosity of mucus for its removal. The viscosity of mucous is dependent upon the presence of disulfide bonds between these macromolecules and DNA. Acetylcysteine isolates the sulfide bonds.

Members of mucolytic agent

APPEARANCE

ASSAY

98.0 - 102.0%

SPECIFIC ROTATION

1.0% max

pH

2.0 - 3.0

HEAVY METALS

10ppm max

0.5% max