Chemical Properties
White Crystalline Powder
Uses
D-Alanine is essential for the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan crosslinking sub-units that are used for bacterial cell walls.
Definition
ChEBI: The D-enantiomer of alanine.
Application
D-Alanine is a LHRH-antagonists, e.g., Abarelix (antineoplas-
tic)
General Description
Alanine is a non essential amino acid.
Biochem/physiol Actions
D-Alanine is the non-proteinogenic form of alanine which is used in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. D-Alanine is used to study the specificity and kinetics of alanine racemase(s) (alaR).
Purification Methods
Crystallise alanine from H2O or aqueous EtOH, i.e. crystallise it from 25% EtOH in water, or recrystallise it from 62.5% EtOH, wash it with EtOH and dry it to constant weight in vacuo over P2O5. [Gutter & Kegeles J Am Chem Soc 75 3893 1953, Walsh J Biol Chem 264 2394 1989.] 2,2'-Iminodipropionic acid is a likely impurity. [Beilstein 4 IV 2480. 2481.]
