phenylalanine

[fen-l-al-uh-neen, -nin, feen-]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a crystalline, water-soluble, essential amino acid, C 6 H 5 CH 2 CH(NH2 )COOH, necessary to the nutrition of humans and most animals, obtained chiefly from egg white or skim milk. Phe; F

phenylalanine

/ ˌfiːnaɪlˈæləˌniːn, ˌfɛnɪl- /

noun

1. an aromatic essential amino acid; a component of proteins

phenylalanine

1. An essential amino acid. Chemical formula: C ₉ H ₁₁ NO ₂ .

2. See more at amino acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenylalanine¹

First recorded in 1880–85; phenyl + alanine

Example Sentences

On these lines, they conducted a series of experiments by replacing phenylalanine and valine amino acid residues at specific positions in the structure of Ado, with various other amino acids.

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People with PKU cannot break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein foods.

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These metabolites include phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol.

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The WHO reports show that aspartame itself is rapidly broken down in the gut into three other substances - phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol.

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With this knowledge, the family started their child on treatment with a specialized diet including low levels of phenylalanine.

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