ˈaləˌnēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: German alanin, irregular from aldehyd aldehyde + -in -ine
1. : a white crystalline amino acid CH 3 CH(NH 2 )COOH that is known in three optically different forms, that is formed by the hydrolysis of proteins and made synthetically, and that takes part in transamination reactions in the living organism; α-amino-propionic acid
2. : a white crystalline amino acid NH 2 CH 2 CH 2 COOH found in muscle in the form of carnosine and anserine, made synthetically, and used in making pantothenic acid; β-amino-propionic acid — used with an initial Greek beta
β-alanine