Dl-Phenylalanine

DescriptionAs an essential amino acid, phenylalanine is necessary for the production of tyrosine in human body, which cannot be synthesized from more basic substances in humans and other animals, meaning that it is obtained only by ingestion of phenylalanine or phenylalanine- containing proteins, which is particularly rich in eggs, chicken, liver, beef, breast milk of mammals, and soybeans, etc. There are three forms of phenylalanine: L-phenylalanine, the natural form found in protein-rich foods, D-phenylalanine, the synthetic mirror image and DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), the mixture of both forms made in the laboratory that can maximize benefits. DLPA is manufactured for medical, feed, and nutritional applications, which can be used to produce food and drink products. It is marketed as a nutritional supplement due to its reputed analgesic and antidepressant effects. Besides, it can be applied for depression, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and a skin disease called vitiligo.

OccurrencePhenylalanine is the most commonly found aromatic amino acid in proteins and enzymes with a molar ratio of 3.5% compared to the other amino acids, about double the amount of any other aromatic amino acid. Reported found in white bread, macaroni, egg noodles, corn flakes, corn grits, oatmeal, wheat bran, wheat flakes, shredded wheat, barley, brown rice, rye flour, whole grain wheat flour, buttermilk, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, bacon, cured ham, frankfurters, pork sausage, canned red kidney beans, canned sweet corn, canned peas, canned lima beans, canned potatoes, canned asparagus, canned snap beans, canned beets, beef, lamb, fresh ham, veal round, beef liver, chicken, chicken liver, turkey and other natural sources.

UsesDL-Phenylalanine may be used in the synthesis of ternary piroxicam (Pir; 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-pyridyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide) complexes of Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II).

UsesComponent of the artificial sweetner aspartame, q.v.; nutrient.

UsesDL-Phenylalanine is used torelieve cases of minor depressionand other mood issues as well as and physical discomforts and pain. It is also used in acupunctureanesthesia, alcohol withdrawal.

General DescriptionPhenylalanine is an amino acid. It participates in the preparation of ternary piroxicam complexes of Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). Characterization of these complexes by elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, UV-Vis, magnetic moment, diffuse reflectance and X-ray powder diffraction methods has been conducted. Crystalline DL-phenylalanine was prepared by its reduction in silica gel by solubility method.