Background:

Delta-Valerobetaine is a precursor of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO).

The levels of delta-valerobetaine were by far higher in ruminant than in non-ruminant meat and, among ruminants, cattle present higher levels of the substance than sheep and goat. The levels of delta-valerobetaine in milk of ruminants are much lower than in their meat. However, delta-valerobetaine content in milk of ruminants is noticeably higher than that observed in non-ruminant milk. It is showed that incubation of ruminal fluid with labeled Nε-trimethyllysine leads to a rapid formation of labeled delta-valerobetaine[1].

[1]. Servillo L, et al. Ruminant meat and milk contain δ-valerobetaine, another precursor of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) like γ-butyrobetaine. Food Chem. 2018 Sep 15;260:193-199.