DL-Alanine

DL-Alanine (CAS No.: 302-72-7) is a racemic amino acid composed of equimolar L- and D-alanine enantiomers and is widely utilized as a fundamental biochemical reagent in life sciences research. As a non-essential amino acid derivative, DL-alanine participates in central metabolic processes, most notably the glucose–alanine cycle, where it contributes to nitrogen transport and carbon flux between peripheral tissues and the liver, making it relevant for studies of metabolic regulation and interorgan communication. In biochemical and materials science contexts, DL-alanine has been employed as both a reducing and capping agent in nanoparticle synthesis systems, particularly in aqueous metal salt solutions, supporting investigations into nanomaterial formation and surface functionalization. Additionally, its capacity to coordinate with transition metal ions such as copper, zinc, and cadmium makes it a useful model ligand in studies of metal chelation, coordination chemistry, and metal-associated biological processes. Although specific molecular targets are not typically defined for DL-alanine, its role in amino acid metabolism links it to enzymatic pathways involving transaminases and related metabolic enzymes, with functional effects generally observed in the micromolar to millimolar concentration range depending on the experimental system. DL-alanine is commonly applied in cell-based assays, metabolic flux analyses, and in vitro biochemical studies, where dosing and experimental conditions are adjusted according to the objectives of the study, including investigations into amino acid transport, metabolic cycling, and metal ion interactions.