L-Tyrosine
Nootropics
Overview
- L‑Tyrosine is a non‑essential, aromatic amino acid.
- It serves as a precursor for several neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) and thyroid hormones.
- In the human body, it supports catecholamine synthesis.
- It helps maintain normal cognitive and stress‑response functions.
Chemistry
- Chemical Name: L‑Tyrosine (L‑2‑amino‑3‑(4‑hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid)
- Molecular Formula: C₉H₁₁NO₃
- Molecular Weight: 181.19 g mol⁻¹
- IUPAC Name: (2S)-2‑amino‑3‑(4‑hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid
- Structure: The molecule features a phenolic (para‑hydroxy) benzene ring attached to an α‑amino acid backbone, conferring both acidic (carboxyl) and basic (amino) groups, making it amphoteric.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water (≈0.5 g · 100 mL ⁻¹ at 25 °C).
- Functional Groups: The side‑chain hydroxyl group participates in iodination and phosphorylation, key for thyroid hormone synthesis and signal transduction.
- Isomer: L‑tyrosine is optically active (L‑configuration) and is the L‑enantiomer that is biologically active in humans.
Sources & Quality
- Natural Sources: Natural L‑tyrosine is abundant in protein‑rich foods such as dairy, poultry, fish, soy, and legumes.
- Commercial Production: Commercially, it is chiefly obtained via fermentation of glucose by genetically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum or E. coli, which yields high purity (>99 %).
- Alternative Production: An alternative is enzymatic hydrolysis of casein or whey protein, followed by crystallization.
- Synthetic Routes: Synthetic routes (e.g., Strecker synthesis) are less common due to regulatory preferences for biotechnological production.
- Quality Considerations: Quality considerations include absence of heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and residual solvents; reputable manufacturers follow GMP and provide third‑party testing (e.g., USP, NSF).
- Clinical Use: For clinical use, a pharmaceutical‑grade product with documented assay (≥98 % L‑tyrosine) and stability data is recommended.
Where to Buy L-Tyrosine
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