L-Tryptophan Alias: Aminoinodolepropionic Acid English Name: L-Tryptophan CAS NO: 73-22-3 Molecular Formula: C??H??N?O? Molecular Weight: 204.23 Product Standards: AJI-92, USP-24/26, FCC-4 Properties: This product appears as a white or off-white to pale yellow crystalline powder, odorless or with a slight odor. The L-form has a slightly bitter taste, while the DL- and D-forms are slightly sweet. It decomposes at 289°C, is slightly soluble in water, and insoluble in ethanol. It dissolves in dilute acids or alkalis but may develop color under prolonged light exposure. When heated with water, it produces a small amount of indole; in the presence of sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate, heating yields a large amount of indole. It remains relatively stable when heated with acids in the dark but decomposes easily when coexisting with other amino acids, sugars, or aldehydes. Uses: Tryptophan is a heterocyclic amino acid and an essential amino acid for humans, widely used in pharmaceuticals and food industries. Human Applications: Nutritional supplement, antioxidant. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, and is one of the essential amino acids for the human body. It is used in nutritional supplements for pregnant women and special infant formula milk. It serves as a treatment for niacin deficiency (pellagra) and acts as a calming agent to regulate mental rhythms and improve sleep. Animal Applications: Promotes feed intake in animals, reduces stress responses, improves sleep, enhances antibody levels in fetuses and young animals, and increases milk production in lactating livestock. It reduces the requirement for high-quality protein in feed, lowers feed costs, decreases the use of protein feed in diets, and saves formulation space.