Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an organic acid. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the lower intestine and, in small amounts, in the tissues of many animals, including humans. Taurine is a derivative of the sulfur-containing (sulfhydryl) amino acid cysteine. Taurine is one of the few known naturally occurring sulfonic acids. Taurine is possibly best known as a health supplement, and is used in a variety of products. Bodybuilders take supplements of taurine coupled with creatine which may help in reducing muscle fatigue and soreness. Energy drinks, which are becoming hugely popular, especially among the teen and young adult set, often list taurine as one of its main supplemental ingredients. Applications: The main use of taurine is in infant formula to make it more like human milk (cow's milk is deficient in taurine). Taurine is also used in a wide variety of different functional drinks, ranging from "smart drinks" to "energy tonics" and is often used in conjunction with caffeine. Taurine is used in milk, dairy products, beverages, supplements, complex monosodium glutamate and certain specific foods. In the recent research on the effect of taurine on human intelligence and health, it has been discovered that taurine plays an active role in promoting the development of brain, maintaining the physiological functions of retina, regulating the conduction of nerve, enhancing the absorption and the acid- base metabolism of gall and promoting the functions of heart, liver and internal secretion. Emerging application: The new applications include that taurine can be used to treat “hangover†symptoms caused by excessive drinking and help the treatment of anxiety disorders and obesity. In the future, the demand from weight control food and alcoholism preventing health care products will drive the continuing growth of the international taurine consumption. A deficiency may impair vision and problems with fat metabolism may appear. Synthetic taurine is obtained from isethionic acid (2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid), which in turn is obtained from the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous sodium bisulfite. Another approach is the reaction of aziridine with sulfurous acid. This leads directly to taurine. The global demand for taurine is in the region of 100 000 tonnes per annum and It is expected that the annual growth rate of the international taurine market will reach 15% in the few years. The import of taurine to India is around 11-12 MT per annum. There is an ample space and market for this product. Major taurine producers:Hubei Qianjiang Yongan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, China, Hubei Fu Chi chemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd,China , Changshu Renoke Food-additive Science Co., Ltd, China and others.