Chemical Properties

White or almost white, crystalline powder or colourless crystals.

Uses

L-Asparagine is a naturally occurring amino acid that is not an essential for humans and can be synthesized from central metabolic pathway intermediates.

General Description

Asparagine biosynthesis is catalyzed by glutamine-dependent asparagine synthetase in mammalian tissues. Elevated levels of free asparagine is observed in plants facing stress in the form of drought or high salt. It is also present in senescing leaves and germinating seeds.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Asparagine has high nitrogen to carbon ratio and is a key regulator for nitrogen storage and transport. Its thermal degradation in the presence of sugars leads to the acrylamide formation in foods. Asparagine serves as an amino acid exchange factor and is essential for amino acid homeostasis. It favors cancer cell proliferation.