2,5-Deoxyfructosazine is a pyrazine derivative that can be found in cured tobacco and is used as a flavoring agent in the food and tobacco industry. Pyrazines, including 2,5-deoxyfructosazine, can be produced either by pyrolytic decomposition of natural compounds or by the reaction of sugars with alcoholic ammonia. 2,5-Deoxyfructosazine is also formed by the breakdown of D-glucosamine at neutral pH. Like glucosamine, 2,5-deoxyfructosazine has DNA strand breakage activity and strongly inhibits IL-2 production by Jurkat cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (IC50 = ~1.25 mM).
