Bitterant

This article is about the use as an aversive agent. For use as a food additive, see Bittering agent.

A bitterant (or bittering agent) is a chemical that is added to a product to make it smell or taste bitter. Bitterants are commonly used as aversive agents to discourage the inhalation or ingestion of toxic substances.

Examples of use

• The addition of a bitterant to ethanol denatures the product.
• Bitterants are used in antifreeze to prevent pet and child poisonings.
• Gas dusters often use a bitterant to discourage inhalant abuse, although this can cause problems for legitimate users. The bitterant not only leaves an intolerably bitter flavor in the air, but also leaves a bitter residue on objects, like screens and keyboards, that may transfer to hands and cause problems (such as when eating) later.
• Anti-freeze often contains a bitterant, required by law in some places (France, Oregon, etc.).

Examples of bitterants

• Denatonium is used in a variety of applications as an aversive agent.
• Sucrose octaacetate
• Quercetin
• Brucine
• Quassin

See also

• Denaturation (food), the deliberate addition of an unpleasantly flavored or poisonous substances to food in order to prevent the consumption of the food for various reasons.
• Adulterant, a substance added to food for deceptive or malicious reasons, for example to cheaply replace legitimate ingredients.