Overview
Alanine, chemically known as 2-aminopropanoic acid, is one of the simplest non-essential amino acids. It exists in two isomeric forms: L-alanine, the biologically active form found in proteins, and D-alanine, which occurs in bacterial cell walls. As a key intermediate in metabolism, alanine supports the glucose-alanine cycle between tissues and the liver. Industrially, it is produced via microbial fermentation or chemical synthesis, with L-alanine being the predominant commercial form due to its physiological relevance. In the human body, alanine is synthesized from pyruvate and branched-chain amino acids. It serves as a building block for proteins and plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels. The global market for alanine is driven by its applications in nutraceuticals, flavor enhancers (as a sweetener synergist), and intravenous formulations for clinical nutrition.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Alanine is a white, odorless crystalline solid with a sweet taste. The L-isomer has a specific rotation of +14.5° in aqueous solution. It exhibits amphoteric properties due to its amino and carboxyl groups, with isoelectric points of 6.00 (L-alanine) and 6.11 (D-alanine). The compound shows good thermal stability but decomposes at temperatures above 297°C without melting. Its solubility profile makes it versatile for formulation: highly soluble in water (166.5 g/L at 25°C) but poorly soluble in organic solvents like ethanol. In aqueous solutions, alanine exists predominantly as a zwitterion at physiological pH. The crystalline structure of L-alanine features hydrogen-bonded layers, contributing to its stability during storage and handling.
Main Applications
In pharmaceuticals, alanine is used in parenteral nutrition solutions and as a buffering agent in tablet formulations. Its isotonic nature makes it suitable for ophthalmic and dialysis solutions. The food industry utilizes alanine as a flavor modifier (E640), particularly in dairy products and savory flavors where it enhances umami taste. In sports nutrition, it's valued for beta-alanine supplements that boost carnosine levels in muscles. The chemical industry employs alanine as a chiral building block for synthesizing pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. In biotechnology, it serves as a nitrogen source in microbial culture media. Recent research explores its potential in biodegradable polymers and as a green corrosion inhibitor. The D-isomer finds niche applications in antibiotic production and as a precursor for specialty chemicals.
Safety and Storage
Alanine is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used appropriately. Occupational exposure limits have not been established, but standard precautions for handling fine powders should be followed to avoid respiratory irritation. The LD50 (oral, rat) for L-alanine exceeds 5,000 mg/kg, indicating low acute toxicity. Proper storage requires keeping containers tightly sealed in a cool, dry environment (15-25°C) with relative humidity below 65%. Bulk quantities should be protected from caking through appropriate packaging with moisture barriers. Although non-flammable, thermal decomposition can release toxic fumes including nitrogen oxides. Incompatibilities include strong oxidizing agents and excessive heat during processing.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing alanine, buyers should specify the required isomer (L-, D-, or DL-form), purity grade (USP, FCC, or technical), and particle size if relevant. Pharmaceutical applications typically require USP-grade material with certificates of analysis, while food-grade material must comply with FCC or EU regulations. Technical-grade material may suffice for industrial applications. Reliable suppliers should provide documentation including heavy metal content, residual solvent analysis (for synthetic products), and microbiological testing. For large-scale procurement, consider suppliers with fermentation capabilities for more sustainable L-alanine production. Price negotiations should account for packaging options (25kg bags vs. bulk containers) and shipping conditions. Just-in-time delivery may be preferable for hygroscopic grades to prevent moisture absorption during storage.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：全氟聚醚二醇、聚硅氮烷、特种硅油、全氟三丁胺、特种硅树脂
- 主营：离子液体、5-二甲基吡唑、咪唑、硫酸烟酰苯胺、催化剂、阻燃剂、正丁醇锆、四氟硼酸锂、香兰基丁醚、氟化物、全氟辛基三甲氧基硅烷、丙酮肟、双酚E型氰酸酯、叔丁基乙烯基醚、钯碳催化剂、钛硅分子筛、丙酮缩氨基硫脲
- 主营：乙二醇、二甲基亚砜、丙二醇、己内酰胺、精对苯二甲酸、己二酸、聚乙烯醇、聚乙二醇、木质素、甘油、三甘醇、叔十二硫醇、白油、对苯二甲酸二甲酯、4-丁二醇
- 主营：乙酸龙脑酯、聚苯乙烯磺酸钠、乙基黄原酸钾、异丙胺基丙酸乙酯、2-十一酮
- 主营：架桥剂、YW100 锂萃取剂、端羧基液体丁腈橡胶、全氟三丁胺、10-羟基癸酸、苯乙烯磷酸、肉豆蔻酸镁、硬脂酸钴、乙烯基磷酸二乙酯、磷酸锰铁锂、β-磷酸三钙、十一烯酸、钨酸铝、1-乙炔基环已醇、间二异丙苯、锂硅合金、溴甲酚绿、生物活性玻璃、溴代海因树脂颗粒、红铝、龙涎酮、原丁酸三甲酯
- 主营：硼酸酐、阻聚剂、己二酸、氨基丙酸、氯化锂、发泡剂、乙二醇、醋酸铜、硅酸钠、正癸醇、新癸酸、环烷油、腰果酚、十二醇、酒石酸、碳酸锂、三甘醇、油菜酸、二甘醇、碳酸钾、甲酸钠、硅酸镁、棕榈油、6-氯嘌呤、微晶石蜡、磷酸一铵
- 主营：中间体、尿囊素、肉豆蔻酸异丙酯、乙酰胺丙酸、烯丙基羟乙基醚、苄基三乙基氯化铵、马来酸、乙酰苯肼、椰油基三甲基氯化铵
- 主营：叔碳酸、十八醛、溶菌酶、氨基乙酰丙酸、海藻糖、癸二醇、氨基丙基、氢路噻嗪、邻苯二甲、乙基碳二、羟基癸酸、正十七烷、谷胱甘肽、烷二甲醇、松果体素、vc磷酸酯镁、2-甲基丁醛、朱栾倍半萜、丁烷四乙酸、表面活性剂、癸烷撑二醇、缩水甘油邻、10-羟基羊蜡酸、氢氯噻嗪杂质、盐酸邻菲罗啉、壳聚糖季铵盐
- 主营：聚苯胺、脯氨酸甲酯盐酸盐、苄基三甲基氯化铵
- 主营：杜仲素、对位酯、丙烯酸酯、3异丙胺基丙酸乙酯、二氧化硫脲、乙基麦芽酚、饲料添加剂、油酸基硬脂酸、二苯基硅二醇
- 主营：合成树脂、固化剂、不饱和树脂、丙酸乙酯、环氧树脂、聚酯多元醇、酚醛树脂、医药中间体
- 主营：粘结剂、阻燃剂、絮凝剂、3异丙胺基丙酸乙酯、3584-23-4、引发剂、哌啶基、封端剂、乙交酯、抗菌剂、交联剂、肌肽锌、增亮剂、干燥剂、润滑剂、护发剂、粘合剂、对位酯、阻聚剂、稀释剂、羟乙基、偶联剂、分散剂、中间体、l-丙交酯、丙烯酸锌
- 主营：硫酸阿托品、表面活性剂、光引发剂、硫酸烟酰苯胺、聚苯胺、离子液体、乙基纤维素、缓蚀剂、OB酸、N-油酰肌氨酸
- 主营：橡胶油、白芷油、7782-92-5、三辛胺、pbtcaona4、艾叶油、二甲基、桉树醇、2905-60-4、5989-81-1、重质苯、活性炭、1305-62-0、1192-62-7、安息油、9005-32-7、正辛烷、7775-27-1、8050-09-7、1739-84-0、7786-30-3、黄糊精、6920-22-5、1897-52-5、7727-21-1
- 主营：阻燃剂、乙酸镍、乙酸镝、甲基正戊胺基、硫酸锂、硫酸锶、溴氨酸、香茅醇、肌氨酸、锂电池、四氢萘、磷酸铬、碳酸镁、碳酸镍、防冻剂、磷酸铝、叔丁醇、氟苯基、浮选剂、稀释剂、羟乙基、去除剂、庚二酸、除磷剂、十八烯、蛋白酶