The key difference between DL methionine and L methionine is that DL methionine is a racemic mixture of D and L enantiomers of methionine whereas L methionine is the L enantiomer of methionine.
Methionine is an essential amino acid for humans. It plays a critical role in metabolism and health; it is also a part of angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels). Moreover, supplements of methionine can help people suffering from copper poisoning. The codon that encodes this amino acid is AUG.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DL Methionine
3. What is L Methionine
4. Side by Side Comparison – DL Methionine vs L Methionine in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is DL Methionine?
DL methionine is a mixture of the two enantiomers D-methionine and L-methionine. Therefore, it contains a mixture of two types of the same compound. We call this “racemethionine” because a mixture of D and L enantiomers is called a racemic mixture. It appears as a white crystalline powder or as small flakes. Also, it dissolves in water sparingly and is very slightly soluble in ethanol.
DL methionine is used as a dietary supplement. It has lipotropic action. Moreover, it is sometimes given to dogs as it can help to reduce the chances of stones in dogs.
What is L Methionine?
L methionine is the L enantiomer of the amino acid methionine. Often, L methionine is the compound we call commonly as “methionine”. It was first discovered by the American scientist John Howard Mueller (1921). Further, it is an essential amino acid in our body that is important for the formation of proteins. We can find this amino acid in some food such as meat, fish and dairy products.
Figure 01: L Methionine Structure
Moreover, this amino acid is very important in the growth of new blood vessels. Also, it is essential for tissue repair. Besides, it is a sulfur-containing amino acid and involves in many detoxifying processes in our body, i.e. protects cells from pollutants. Furthermore, it slows cell aging and is essential for the absorption of selenium and zinc.
What is the Difference Between DL Methionine and L Methionine?
DL methionine is a mixture of the two enantiomers D-methionine and L-methionine while L methionine is the L enantiomer of the amino acid methionine. Therefore, the key difference between DL methionine and L methionine is that DL methionine is a racemic mixture of D and L enantiomers of methionine whereas L methionine is the L enantiomer of methionine.
When considering their uses, DL methionine is used as a dietary supplement while L methionine is important for the growth of new blood vessels, slows cell aging, and is essential for the absorption of selenium and zinc. So, this is also an important difference between DL methionine and L methionine.
Summary – DL Methionine vs L Methionine
Methionine is an essential amino acid that occurs in two types of enantiomers as D-methionine and L-methionine. The key difference between DL methionine and L methionine is that DL methionine is a racemic mixture of D and L enantiomers of methionine whereas L methionine is the L enantiomer of methionine.
Reference:
1. “DL-Methionine.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “L-Methionin – L-Methionine” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia