tryptophan

American  

[trip-tuh-fan] / ˈtrɪp təˌfæn /

Also tryptophane

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an essential amino acid, (C 8 H 6 N)CH 2 CH(NH2 )COOH, colorless, crystalline, and aromatic, released from proteins by tryptic digestion and a precursor of serotonin. Trp; W

---

tryptophan British  

/ ˈtrɪptəˌfæn /

noun

1. an essential amino acid; a component of proteins necessary for growth

---

tryptophan Scientific  

/ trĭp′tə-făn′ /

1. An essential amino acid. Chemical formula: C ₁₁ H ₁₂ N ₂ O ₂ .

2. See more at amino acid

---

Etymology

Origin of tryptophan

1900–05; trypto- (irregular combining form representing Greek trīptós “rubbed”) + -phan(e) ( def. )

Example Sentences

Partly because I was exhausted from the tryptophan I had ingested with my turkey the day before and could not get out of bed.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s because the popular source of protein contains an amino acid called tryptophan — along with chicken, fish, and some dairy products like milk and low-fat cheese.

From Seattle Times

So can the essential amino acid tryptophan, found in many protein-rich foods, including eggs, dairy, soy foods, turkey, salmon, nuts and seeds.

From Seattle Times

Studies show that eating protein-rich foods such as milk and turkey on their own actually decreases the ability of tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier.

From New York Times

Scientists have debunked the theory that Thanksgiving naps are caused solely by a rush of tryptophan, an amino acid in turkey and other poultry.

From New York Times