The most bitter chemical compound in the world? That would be denatonium. Try not to throw up…

by David Ng

500px-Denatonium_chemical_structure.svg

To quote from wikipedia:

Denatonium, usually available as denatonium benzoate (under trade names such as BITTER+PLUSBitrex or Aversion) and as denatonium saccharide, is the most bitter chemical compound known, with bitterness thresholds of 0.05 ppm for the benzoate and 0.01 ppm for the saccharide.[2] It was discovered in 1958 during research on local anesthetics by MacFarlan Smith of EdinburghScotland, and registered under the trademark Bitrex.[3] Dilutions of as little as 10 ppm are unbearably bitter to most humans. Denatonium salts are usually colorless and odorless solids but are often traded as solutions. They are used as aversive agents (bitterants) to prevent accidental ingestion. Denatonium is used in denatured alcohol,[4] antifreezenail biting preventions, respirator mask fit-testing, animal repellentsliquid soaps, and shampoos. It is not known to pose any long-term health risks.[5]