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(NH 2 )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

/ fĕn′əl-ăl′ə-nēn′ /

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.

From Science Daily

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

From BBC

These metabolites include phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol.

From Salon

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

From BBC

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

From Scientific American