L-Tryptophan is a neutral, genetically coded, essential amino acid (meaning that the human body can’t produce it on its own). It is essential in human nutrition.

• nutritional information
• food sources
• scientific information

nutritional information:

    When referring to amino acids, the words “essential” and “non-essential” don’t have their normal meanings. Essential amino acids are amino acids that the human body can not produce on its own and must gather from food sources. Non-essential amino acids are amino acids that the human body can produce on its own. Both kinds are required for human health.

    Tryptophan is a natural sedative, but contrary to popular myth, the tryptophan in turkey does not cause Thanksgiving Day drowsiness. There isn’t enough tryptophan in turkey to have that effect. For the amino acid tryptophan to work on the brain, the stomach must be empty and have no amino acids present.

[Tryptophan is] a natural relaxant, helps alleviate insomnia by inducing normal sleep; reduces anxiety & depression; helps in the treatment of migraine headaches; helps the immune system; helps reduce the risk of artery & heart spasms; works with Lysine in reducing cholesterol levels. —courtesy of Austin Nutritional research

    Sources of tryptophan include: bananas, beans. chocolate, dried dates, hemp seed meal, oats, peanuts, sesame, and soy beans.

    Additional sources of tryptophan (that should be avoided because they are animal products) include: fish, meat, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, beef, chicken, and turkey.

tryptophan-rich foods

• beans
• beef
• chicken
• hemp seed
• meat
• milk
• soy beans
• turkey

scientific information:

    Tryptophan is a precursor for serotonin (a neurotransmitter), melatonin (a neurohormone), and niacin. The functional group of tryptophan is indole.

    three letter abbreviation: trp
    one letter abbreviation: w

    linear structure formula: Ph-NH-CH=C-CH2-CH(NH2)-COOH

    molecular formula: C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₂

    systematic name: (S)-2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propanoic acid

    molecular mass: 204.23 g mol^-1

    molecular weight: 204.23

    melting point: 289°C

    isoelectric point (pH): 5.89 (neutral)

    pK_a values: 2.38, 9.39

    CAS Registry Number 73-22-3

    EINECS Registry Number 200-795-6

    Trptophan is a mis-spelling.

See also: amino acids

next nutrient