tryptophan

noun tryp·to·phan \ ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan \

variants: or less commonly tryptophane play \ˈtrip-tə-ˌfān\

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of tryptophan

: a crystalline essential amino acid C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₂ that is widely distributed in proteins

Recent Examples of tryptophan from the Web

The tart treats, which contain calming tryptophan and melatonin, also reduced participants' anxiety levels.

— tori rodriguez, Woman's Day, "10 Ways to Use Your Senses to Beat Stress," 20 May 2016
Without niacin, the body cannot produce tryptophan, an essential amino acid.

— ben crair, Smithsonian, "Why Are These Hamsters Cannibalizing Their Young?," 21 Feb. 2018
As Mike McRae points out for Science Alert, a 1968 paper investigating psilocybin’s biosynthesis theorized that the process began with a molecule of tryptophan, an essential amino acid.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Unlock Magic Mushrooms’ Mysterious Chemical Compound," 18 Aug. 2017
As Mike McRae points out for Science Alert, a 1968 paper investigating psilocybin’s biosynthesis theorized that the process began with a molecule of tryptophan, an essential amino acid.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Unlock Magic Mushrooms’ Mysterious Chemical Compound," 18 Aug. 2017
As Mike McRae points out for Science Alert, a 1968 paper investigating psilocybin’s biosynthesis theorized that the process began with a molecule of tryptophan, an essential amino acid.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Unlock Magic Mushrooms’ Mysterious Chemical Compound," 18 Aug. 2017
All of these signs point to a deficiency in vitamin B3 and tryptophan (a B3 precursor), the researchers write.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Diet Deficiency Can Lead to Cannibal Hamsters," 2 Feb. 2017
Calcium found in dairy products will help the brain use the tryptophan found in dairy to help make sleep-inducing melatonin.

— emily price, Fortune, "Sonic’s Stock Plunges After Credit Card Hack That Could Affect Millions," 28 Sep. 2017
The new study found that tryptophan was indeed the initial building block, but that the order of events proposed by the earlier paper was otherwise incorrect.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Scientists Unlock Magic Mushrooms’ Mysterious Chemical Compound," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tryptophan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.