BMF 48 - Melamine-15N3

Melamine is a trimer of cyanamide with a 1,3,5-triazine skeleton. It contains 66% nitrogen by mass and, if mixed with resins, has fire retardant properties due to release of nitrogen. It is most commonly encountered as melamine resin in combination with formaldehyde, which is a very durable thermosetting plastic used among other things for dinnerware, countertops and cooking spoons.

 

Melamine has been added to low quality pet food and infant formula to make the protein content appear higher than it actually is. Simple protein tests uses nitrogen content as a measure for proteins, and addition of protein-rich compounds like melamine therefore alters the results.

 

Chiron AS offers both native and 15N-labelled melamine for analytical work, as well as the related metabolites like ammeline and ammedine.

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