Identification of a new tetrahydropyrimidine compound derived from glycation mimic reaction of spermidine and methylglyoxal in wheat germ crackers

Abstract

Polyamines are important biological compounds. Mammals, including humans, biosynthesize polyamines in vivo or ingest them as food constituents. Spermidine is a reactive nucleophilic polyamine that reacts readily with aldehydes and carbonyls. In this study, a new tetrahydropyrimidine compound (MG-HSpd) is reported from the reaction of spermidine with methylglyoxal, a carbonyl stress substance produced by autoxidation of glucose. MG-HSpd was confirmed as a constituent of wheat germ crackers after the reaction of spermidine and methylglyoxal during the baking process.