An amino acid, one of the 20 building blocks of protein. A dietary essential amino acid, tryptophan is necessary for optimal growth of children. Bacteria in the intestine break tryptophan down to compounds that largely are responsible for the unpleasant odor of feces. Symbol: Trp.

A naturally occuring amino acid with a heterocyclic group on its side chain.

A type of amino acid that is essential for the rebuilding and repair of damaged tissues in humans and animals

also tryptophane, complex amino acid, 1890, coined in German (1876) from trypto-, taken as a comb. form of tryptic "by trypsin" (see trypsin) + Greek phainein "to appear" (see phan [..]

noun. one of the vital amino acids of a human being's diet. It is a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin and plays a part in general physiological procedures. Tryptophan depletion, loss of [..]

See Essential Amino Acids

One of the amino acids that makes up proteins. Tryptophan is of special importance in nutrition because it can be converted into the B vitamin niacin. Turnover:

(n) an amino acid that occurs in proteins; is essential for growth and normal metabolism; a precursor of niacin

An essential amino acid that occurs in proteins. It is essential for growth and normal metabolism; a precursor of niacin and neurotransmitter serotonin.

Tryptophan is an essential protein which acts as a precursor for formation of the important neurotransmitter, serotonin (a regulator of mood and memory). Tryptophan is found in bananas and turkey.

An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal Growth in Infants and for Nitrogen balance in Adults. It is a precursor of Indole Alkaloids in Plants. It is a precursor of Serotonin (hence its us [..]

The immediate precursor in the biosynthesis of Serotonin from Tryptophan. It is used as an antiepileptic and antidepressant.

Any enthusiastic admirer of the Slovenian guitarist Wenceslas Trypto. Actually, it is an amino acid with the useful property of aborbing ultraviolet light, helping to make proteins visible to detectors in chromatographs. Some vitamin suppliers call it "the natural alternative to Prozac". Tryptophan's biochemical symbol is T and it lo [..]

An essential amino acid that is necessary for normal growth in infants and for NITROGEN balance in adults. It is a precursor of INDOLE ALKALOIDS in plants. It is a precursor of SEROTONIN (hence its us [..]

See L-tryptophan.

An essential amino acid found in many animal foods; a precursor of serotonin. Its use as a dietary supplement has been linked with serious illness, most likely due to contamination during the manufact [..]

SYN: Try, W is a nonpolar amino acid

(amino acid) An essential amino acid having an indole side chain; it is present in many foods, especially chocolate, oats, bananas and milk; it is essential for normal growth and development and is [..]