Ingredients --

Denatonium benzoate

Chemical Formula:

Synonyms

Bitrex

Description

White crystalline powder with an extremely bitter taste.

Uses

Denatonium benzoate gets its name from "denatured alcohol", and that is where it is often used. It is the bitterest tasting substance known. Specially Denatured alcohol 40, or SD-40, is ethanol denatured (made unfit for drinking) by a tiny amount denatonium benzoate.

Denatonium benzoate is an ester of PABA, and is related to lidocaine, benzocaine, novocaine, and cocaine.

It is used in deer repellant, nail polish (to discourage nail-biting), paints, antifreeze and windshield washing fluid (to prevent accidental ingestions), and to coat electrical cables to prevent rats from eating the insulation. Very dilute solutions are also used to coat children's thumbs to prevent thumb sucking.