tryptophan

[trip-tuh-fan]

noun Biochemistry.

an essential amino acid, (C8H6N)CH2CH(NH2)COOH, colorless, crystalline, and aromatic, released from proteins by tryptic digestion and a precursor of serotonin. Abbreviation: Trp; Symbol: W

Also tryp·to·phane

[trip-tuh-feyn] /ˈtrɪp təˌfeɪn/.

Origin of tryptophan

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tryptophan

Contemporary Examples

Spaghetti squash also contains specific nutrients that help convert the tryptophan in other foods you eat into serotonin.
6 Healthy Foods to Fight the Flu, Beat Stress and More
DailyBurn
February 5, 2014
To be sure, tryptophan as a white pill, not a slab of white meat, is used by some as a sleeping aid.
Eat Turkey All You Want! It’s Not Going to Put You to Sleep
Kent Sepkowitz
November 22, 2012
So tryptophan at pretty big doses is a routine part of being a human on planet Earth.
Eat Turkey All You Want! It’s Not Going to Put You to Sleep
Kent Sepkowitz
November 22, 2012
Probably not—the tryptophan story provides us with the perfect cover for the real reason we so love the holiday.
Eat Turkey All You Want! It’s Not Going to Put You to Sleep
Kent Sepkowitz
November 22, 2012
The premise is this: turkey is chock-full of a soporific essential amino acid, tryptophan, one of the 22 essential amino acids.
Eat Turkey All You Want! It’s Not Going to Put You to Sleep
Kent Sepkowitz
November 22, 2012

Historical Examples

A test for the production of tryptophan was reported positive.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2
Various
Trypsin: solution of small shreds of fresh fibrin in neutral and alkaline media, and tryptophan test.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for tryptophan

tryptophan

noun

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

Word Origin

C20: from trypt (ic) + -o + -phan variant of -phane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for tryptophan

n.

also tryptophane, complex amino acid, 1890, coined in German from trypto-, taken as a comb. form of tryptic "by trypsin," + Greek phainein "to appear" (see phantasm).

tryptophan in Medicine

tryptophan

(trĭp′tə-făn′)

An essential amino acid formed from proteins during the digestive process by the action of proteolytic enzymes.

tryptophan in Science

tryptophan

[trĭp′tə-făn′]

An essential amino acid. Chemical formula: C11H12N2O2. See more at amino acid.

tryptophan

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}tryptophan

Examples from the Web for tryptophan

Contemporary Examples

Spaghetti squash also contains specific nutrients that help convert the tryptophan in other foods you eat into serotonin.

To be sure, tryptophan as a white pill, not a slab of white meat, is used by some as a sleeping aid.

So tryptophan at pretty big doses is a routine part of being a human on planet Earth.

Probably not—the tryptophan story provides us with the perfect cover for the real reason we so love the holiday.

The premise is this: turkey is chock-full of a soporific essential amino acid, tryptophan, one of the 22 essential amino acids.

Historical Examples

A test for the production of tryptophan was reported positive.

Trypsin: solution of small shreds of fresh fibrin in neutral and alkaline media, and tryptophan test.

tryptophan

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for tryptophan

n.

tryptophan

tryptophan

Origin of tryptophan