Valine

Valine is one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids. Nutritionally, valine is also an essential amino acid. It is named after the plant valerian.

In sickle-cell disease, it substitutes for the hydrophilic amino acid glutamic acid in haemoglobin: Because valine is hydrophobic, the haemoglobin does not fold correctly. Valine is uncharged overall, as its R group is neutral, and the charges from its amino and carboxylic acid groups balance out: a zwitterion.

Foods that are good sources of valine include cottage cheese, fish, poultry, peanuts, sesame seeds, and lentils.

In a 1994 report released by five top cigarette companies, valine is one of the 599 additives to cigarettes. Its use or purpose, however, is unknown, like most cigarette additives.

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