Tryptophan
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈtɹɪptə(ʊ)fan/
Origin
From German Tryptophan, corresponding to tryptic + Ancient Greek ϕαίνειν (phainein, "to appear").
Full definition of tryptophan
Noun
tryptophan
(countable and uncountable; plural tryptophans)- (amino acid) An essential amino acid having an indole side chain; it is present in many foods, especially chocolate, oats, bananas and milk; it is essential for normal growth and development and is the precursor of serotonin and niacin; any specific form of this compound, or any derivative of it.
- 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial 2004, p. 169:The quickest way to raise serotonin levels again is to send more tryptophan into the brain, because serotonin is made from tryptophan.