Fenilalaninin

Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, meaning the human body cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from the diet. It is one of the twenty standard amino acids used to make proteins. Phenylalanine has the chemical formula C9H11NO2. It is an alpha-amino acid and is classified as hydrophobic and aromatic due to its benzene ring.

Phenylalanine plays a crucial role in the body. It is a precursor to several important biomolecules, including tyrosine, a neurotransmitter precursor, and melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color. It is also involved in the synthesis of other hormones and enzymes. Phenylalanine is found in many protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and seeds.

A genetic disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) affects the body's ability to metabolize phenylalanine. Individuals with PKU lack or have deficient amounts of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which converts phenylalanine to tyrosine. Without this enzyme, phenylalanine builds up in the body, leading to severe intellectual disability and other health problems if left untreated. Newborn screening for PKU is standard in many countries, allowing for early intervention through a special low-phenylalanine diet. Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, is a dipeptide composed of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and thus individuals with PKU must avoid products containing aspartame.