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L-Hercynine is a precursor of L-(+)-Ergothioneine (E600000); a natural molecule isolated from the rye ergot fungus and later identified in rat erythrocytes and liver and in numerous other animal tissues. Its antioxidizing properties may afford the compound therapeutic potential or it may be used as a food additive or in cosmetics.

ChEBI: N(alpha),N(alpha),N(alpha)-trimethyl-L-histidine is an amino-acid betaine and a member of N(alpha)-methyl-L-histidines. It is a conjugate base of a N(alpha),N(alpha),N(alpha)-trimethyl-L-histidinium(1+).

A method for producing hercynine on an industrial scale comprises the steps of:

1. reacting L-histidine, in a polar solvent or a mixture of polar solvents, with a methylating agent, MeX, at room temperature under controlled pH conditions;

2. separ