It was first isolated by Galinski in 1985 from the extreme halophilic bacterium Halobacterium salinarum in the Wadi Natrun salt lakes in Egypt. It is an amino acid derivative, originating from microorganisms in high temperature, high salt, and high ultraviolet environments. Not only can it balance cell osmotic pressure, but it also has excellent protective effects on enzymes, DNA, proteins, nucleic acids, cell membranes, and entire cells under adverse conditions such as high temperature, extreme cold, drought, extreme pH, high pressure, high salt, and high radiation.