| Definition: |
A diastereoisomeric mixture of approximately equal amounts of all four possible diastereoisomers of 4-(1-hydroxy-2-{[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-yl]amino}ethyl)phenol. A beta-adrenergic agonist, it is used (generally as the hydrochloride salt) as a feed additive for use in pigs and other livestock to promote protein deposition, resulting in leaner meat. The R,R diastereoisomer, butopamine, is responsible for most of the leanness-enhancing effects. While use of ractopamine has been banned in over 120 countries including throughout the EU, in the US it used in an estimated 80% of all beef, pork and turkey production. |