Category: Natural chemicals



Introduction and description


Valine (symbol Val or V) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins.  It is essential in humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize it: it must be obtained from the diet. Human dietary sources are foods that contain protein, such as meats, dairy products, soy products, beans and legumes. It is encoded by all codons starting with GU (GUU, GUC, GUA, and GUG).  Adult humans require about 4 mg/kg body weight daily.

Valine was first isolated from casein in 1901 by Hermann Emil Fischer. The name valine comes from valeric acid, which in turn is named after the plant valerian due to the presence of the acid in the roots of the plant.

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