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Name: N-Acetyl-L-tryptophan
Chemical formula: C13H14N2O3
Description: Off-white to light yellow crystalline powder commonly used as a nutritional additive, especially in parenteral nutrition and fermentation processes.
Common uses: It shows up a lot in fields that focus on boosting metabolic activity or supplementing amino acids in biotechnology and pharmaceutical contexts.
GHS classification: Not generally considered hazardous under typical conditions seen in laboratories or production environments.
Health risks: Dust from handling in large quantities can irritate the respiratory system or cause eye discomfort. Swallowing in intended quantities does not trigger acute toxicity for most users, but people with known tryptophan sensitivities could see negative effects if exposed to high doses.
Environment: There’s no evidence right now that it poses a major threat to the environment in the amounts used in manufacturing and research.
Precautionary advice: Direct inhalation, intentional ingestion beyond nutritional levels, or extended skin contact should be avoided.
Chemical identity: N-Acetyl-L-tryptophan
Synonyms: Acetyltryptophan, Acetylated tryptophan
CAS number: 1218-34-4
Impurities: Generally sold at high purity for pharma or lab use, though minor contaminants from synthesis byproducts may appear in industrial lots.
Percentage: Pure lots typically exceed 98%.
Eye contact: Rinse with plenty of water. Medical attention recommended if irritation stays or gets worse.
Skin contact: Wash affected area with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothes.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If any discomfort comes up, especially for people with pre-existing respiratory problems, see a doctor.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. For larger intakes than expected of a supplement, medical advice is key, mainly due to the body's ability to metabolize amino acid derivatives unevenly among different people.
Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, dry chemical, CO2 or foam.
Hazardous combustion byproducts: Burning can lead to the emission of carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides.
Specific hazards: Powdered form may contribute to dust explosion risk if released in heavy quantities in a confined space.
Protective equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full gear in the event of a significant blaze.
Personal precautions: Avoid raising dust. Put on appropriate gloves, goggles, and a dust mask, especially if cleaning up a sizable spill.
Spill cleanup methods: Sweep up without generating dust. Collect in sealed containers for disposal. Ventilate area.
Environmental precautions: Stop as much material as possible from reaching drains or waterways, since even benign compounds can still affect water treatment systems in bulk amounts.
Safe handling: Always work in a well-ventilated place. Prevent formation of dust, limit direct skin contact, close containers tightly when not in use.
Storage: Keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated spaces, away from strong oxidizing substances and moisture.
Other tips: Clean up accidental dribbles promptly, since leftover powder attracts moisture and can clump.
Exposure limits: There are no established occupational exposure limits for N-Acetyl-L-tryptophan in most countries.
Personal protective equipment: Gloves and safety glasses during handling, dust masks if there’s a risk of inhaling particles.
Engineering controls: Use local exhaust ventilation when working with large amounts.
Hygiene measures: Wash hands and face after handling, never eat or drink in the workspace.
Appearance: Usually comes out as a fine, off-white to yellowish powder.
Smell: Practically odorless.
Melting point: Around 285°C, no clear boiling point since it decomposes.
Solubility: Moderately soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.
Other: Stable under recommended conditions, shows no explosive or oxidizing features under normal storage and handling.
Chemical stability: The compound keeps well under standard room temperatures, out of direct sunlight.
Reactivity: Avoid strong acids or bases and strong oxidizing agents, which could degrade the molecule.
Hazardous reactions: None expected in a typical laboratory setting.
Acute toxicity: No acute oral toxicity in animal models reported when ingested at expected quantities for supplements.
Chronic effects: Long-term data isn’t widely available, but no patterns of sensitization or chronic irritation have shown up in routine uses.
Routes of exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation all possible with dust, though systemic transfer from skin is considered minimal.
Symptoms: High dust exposure brings on nose and throat irritation; skin and eye contact causes redness or itching in sensitive users.
Persistence and degradability: This amino acid derivative is ultimately biodegradable, gets broken down by bacteria and sunlight under natural conditions.
Bioaccumulation: No evidence for significant bioaccumulation in aquatic life.
Aquatic toxicity: No records indicate a major risk to water systems at levels typical for accidental spill.
Disposal methods: Small lab quantities can often go in chemical waste, but larger loads should head to licensed disposal outfits for incineration or managed landfill.
Waste codes: Not classified under hazardous waste within most jurisdictions.
Precautions: Never flush down the drain in notable quantities, since overloaded treatment plants might face unnecessary strain.
UN number: Not classified as dangerous for transport by major international agencies.
Restrictions: Strong containment recommended to hold down on spillage and dust release.
Advice: Basic secure packaging in sealed drums or bags, keep dry, protect from crushing or puncture.
Global inventories: Typically registered for legal sale in the US, EU, and many Asian countries in both dietary and pharmaceutical applications.
Hazard labeling: Does not require hazard pictograms or signal words under standard GHS criteria at the time of writing.
Worker protection: Not listed as a carcinogen, mutagen, or reproductive toxicant by IARC, ACGIH, OSHA, or similar bodies.
Notifiable uses: Amounts above general nutritional supplementation could require safety documentation for import or export depending on the country.
