trimethylamine
Molecular structure
Cooking relevance
Trimethylamine (N,N-dimethylmethanamine, PubChem CID 1146) is a volatile amine compound associated with the characteristic fishy odor in aged or improperly stored seafood and some fermented products. Its presence signals biochemical degradation rather than a desirable culinary attribute.
- aroma
- pungent · fishy · ammonia-like · off-odor indicator
- culinary role
- spoilage marker in seafood; not intentionally used as a flavoring agent
- mass spectra
- 18 experimental spectra
Mass spectrum
A real measured fragmentation pattern · 1 of 18 experimental spectra
Sensory signature
How this molecule tastes and smells · gold is measured, dashed is a model estimate
Receptor binding
Measured in literature · peer-reviewed · how this compound interacts with biological receptors
Research associations
Literature-derived · peer-reviewed sources only · not medical advice
Foods containing this compound
Verified Data
Compound identity and culinary context are continuously cross-referenced across open scientific databases and maintained by Foodgeist's enrichment pipeline.
The Geist can be wrong. Some flavor, taste, and pairing values are model-predicted, not lab-measured.

















