Difference Between Taurine and L Taurine

The key difference between taurine and L taurine is that Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, whereas L Taurine is the most abundant and important isomer of taurine.

Taurine is an organic compound which falls under the category of amino sulfonic acids. However, we often refer to it as an amino acid since it is a building block for the formation of proteins. Further, it is present in large amounts in our body, and we can get this amino acid through our diet as well.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Taurine 
3. What is L Taurine
4. Side by Side Comparison – Taurine vs L Taurine in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Taurine?

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid having the chemical formula C₂H₇NO₃S. It is an organic compound that is widely distributed throughout animal tissues. Moreover, the compound occurs in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, etc. Therefore, it accounts for about 0.1% of total body weight. We can find this compound in synthetic form and natural form.

Some chemical facts about taurine:

• Chemical formula C₂H₇NO₃S
• Molar mass is 125.4 g/mol.
• Appears as a colourless or white solid
• Melting point is 305.11 °C

We can obtain the synthetic compound via ammonolysis of isethionic acid. As a direct approach, we can use the reaction between aziridine and sulfurous acid. Moreover, in a laboratory, the common method of production is the alkylation of ammonia with bromoethanesulfonate salts. When considering the biosynthesis process, taurine originates from cysteine. Taurine naturally occurs in fish and meat.

Concerning the usage, this compound has many biological roles. It is involved in the conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, etc. Also, synthetic taurine is useful as an ingredient in energy drinks because it can act as a nervous system depressant.

What is L Taurine?

L Taurine is the L isomer of the taurine molecule. There are two stereoisomers as L Taurine and D taurine. Among them, the most abundant and most important form is the L isomer. Therefore, we often refer to L Taurine when we talk about taurine.

What is the Difference Between Taurine and L Taurine?

Basically, there are two stereoisomers of taurine: L isomers and D isomers. So, the key difference between taurine and L taurine is that Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, whereas L Taurine is the most abundant and important isomer of taurine.

Summary – Taurine vs L Taurine

In summary, the key difference between taurine and L taurine is that Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, whereas L Taurine is the most abundant and important isomer of taurine. There are two stereoisomers of taurine as L and D isomers, but we usually refer to L Taurine when talking about taurine because it is the most abundant and important isomer.

Reference:

1. “Taurine: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning.” WebMD, WebMD, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Taurin” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia