Tryptophan

The tryptophan (Trp) is an essential alpha-amino acid for humans and a bionic precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is known as happiness hormone. Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry coupled with FTIR in air and N-2 atmospheres, X-ray powder diffractometry, and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize and to study the thermal behavior of Trp. The use of density functional theory was performed in order to propose the structure of Trp. The results provided information on the conformation form, thermal behavior, and thermal decomposition mechanism. The analysis permitted to suggest a new proposal of the mechanism of thermal decomposition of the Trp. The Kinect data indicated a relationship of the temperature and atmosphere in the reactions occurred in the Trp during heating.