tryptophan

[ trip-tuh-fan ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Biochemistry.

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

tryptophan

/ ˈtrɪptəˌfæn /

tryptophan

/ trĭp′tə-făn′ /

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

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

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.

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

A test for the production of tryptophan was reported positive.

Browse