colorless gas with a fishlike odor at low concentrations changing to ammonia-like odor at higher concentrations. Trimethylamine (TMA) exposure can lead to transient increase in resistance to antibiotic stress associated with medium alkalinization, and could also contribute to the evolution of antibiotic tolerance in bacterial populations. Long-term inhalation of low concentrations or short-term inhalation of high concentrations has adverse health effects.
People with fish-odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) have an impaired version of the enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). This is the enzyme that converts trimethylamine to non-odorous trimethylamine N-oxide. Trimethylamine in breath can be also used in diagnostics of renal and liver diseases, and for real-time monitoring of haemodialysis efficiency.
One of the most important dietary sources of trimethylamine is choline found in most protein foods, especially eggs, liver, kidney, peas, beans, peanuts, soya products and cruciferous vegetables (brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower).
People with fish-odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) have an impaired version of the enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3). This is the enzyme that converts trimethylamine to non-odorous trimethylamine N-oxide. Trimethylamine in breath can be also used in diagnostics of renal and liver diseases, and for real-time monitoring of haemodialysis efficiency.
One of the most important dietary sources of trimethylamine is choline found in most protein foods, especially eggs, liver, kidney, peas, beans, peanuts, soya products and cruciferous vegetables (brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower).
Decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteriodetes might reduce production of TMA from dietary precursors. The following bacteria produce trimethylamine (TMA) from:
TMA N-oxide: Actinobacteria - Micrococcus and Mobiluncus; Firmicutes - Bacillus, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Streptococcus, Alcaligenes; Proteobacteria - Campylobacter, Citrobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, Pseudomonas
Choline: Actinobacteria - Mobiluncus and Olsenella; Bacteroidetes - Bacteroides, Firmicutes - Anaerococcus, Clostridium, Desulfitobacterium, Enterococcus,
Streptococcus; Proteobacteria - Desulfovibrio, Edwardsiella, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus,
Providencia, Pseudomonas, Yokenella
Carnitine: Proteobacteria - Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas
Betaine: Firmicutes - Clostridium, Eubacterium, Sporomusa
Ergothioneine: Proteobacteria - Alcaligenes, Escherichia
TMA N-oxide: Actinobacteria - Micrococcus and Mobiluncus; Firmicutes - Bacillus, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Sarcina, Streptococcus, Alcaligenes; Proteobacteria - Campylobacter, Citrobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, Pseudomonas
Choline: Actinobacteria - Mobiluncus and Olsenella; Bacteroidetes - Bacteroides, Firmicutes - Anaerococcus, Clostridium, Desulfitobacterium, Enterococcus,
Streptococcus; Proteobacteria - Desulfovibrio, Edwardsiella, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus,
Providencia, Pseudomonas, Yokenella
Carnitine: Proteobacteria - Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas
Betaine: Firmicutes - Clostridium, Eubacterium, Sporomusa
Ergothioneine: Proteobacteria - Alcaligenes, Escherichia
