The key difference between L-theanine and theanine is that L-theanine is the L isomer of the theanine molecule, whereas theanine is the amino acid analogue of L-glutamine.
Theanine is an organic compound having the chemical formula C7H14N2O3. There are enantiomers of theanine: L-theanine isomer and D-theanine isomer. Among them, the most common isomer is the L-theanine isomer.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is L-Theanine
3. What is Theanine
4. Similarities Between L-Theanine and Theanine
5. Side by Side Comparison – L-Theanine and Theanine in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is L-Theanine?
L-theanine is the L isomer of theanine, which is an enantiomer with D-theanine. L isomer is the most common form of enantiomer, and it is studied more compared to D-isomer of theanine. L-theanine is the isomeric form we can find in green tea leaves. Moreover, this isomer form is approved in all food, but there are some restrictions on infant food. We can find this substance in high content in plant and fungal species, specifically in gyokuro leaves.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of L-Theanine
The chemical formula of L theanine is C7H14N2O3. The opposite enantiomer of this isomer is D theanine. It is less common and thus is less studied. However, both these substances occur in plant species and fungal species.
What is Theanine?
Theanine is an organic compound having the chemical formula C7H14N2O3. This is an amino acid analogue of the proteinogenic amino acid L-glutamate and L-glutamine. When considering its history, theanine was found as a component in green tea in 1949. This substance provides a unique brothy or savoury flavour to green tea infusions.
Figure 02: Gyokuro Leaves are a Type of Shaded Green Tea
Usually, the term theanine is used to name the L isomer (L-theanine) in common because it is the form of theanine we can find in tea leaves, and it is also useful as an ingredient in dietary supplements. Primarily, theanine occurs in plant and fungal species from where it was isolated first; this substance was isolated from gyokuro leaves where there is a high theanine content. We can observe this substance occurring in black, green, and white teas.
What are the Similarities Between L-Theanine and Theanine?
- L-Theanine and Theanine are organic compounds.
- They have the same chemical formula of C7H14N2O3
- Both forms occur in plant parts.
- They are useful as ingredients for dietary supplements.
What is the Difference Between L-Theanine and Theanine?
Theanine is an organic compound. It has enantiomers as L isomer and D isomer. Among them, L-theanine is the most common form, which can be observed in green tea leaves. The key difference between L-theanine and theanine is that L-theanine is the L isomer of the theanine molecule, whereas theanine is the amino acid analogue of L-glutamine. Moreover, L-theanine is the common form of isomer, while D isomer is less abundant and less studied as well.
The following infographic looks at the difference between L-theanine and theanine in tabular form.
Summary – L-Theanine vs Theanine
Theanine is an organic compound. It has enantiomers as L isomer and D isomer. Among them, L-theanine is the most common form, which can be observed in green tea leaves. The key difference between L-theanine and theanine is that L-theanine is the L isomer of the theanine molecule, whereas theanine is the amino acid analogue of L-glutamine.
Reference:
1. Wong, Cathy. Green Tea Drinker? Find out the Benefits of l-Theanine. 3 Feb. 2020, Available here.
2. “Theanine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Mar. 2021, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “L-Theanine” By Ed (Edgar181) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1356633” (CC0) via Pxhere