L-Tyrosine Disodium Salt is the disodium salt form of L-tyrosine. Its properties, performance characteristics, and applications are outlined below:

I. Properties

Physical Properties

Appearance: Typically a white to off-white crystalline powder, odorless or with a faint characteristic smell.

Solubility: Readily soluble in water, with significantly higher solubility than free L-tyrosine due to the ionic nature of the sodium salt, which enhances interaction with water molecules; poorly soluble in ethanol, ether, and other organic solvents.

Melting Point: High melting point; exact value may vary depending on purity, generally decomposes above 200°C.

Molecular Formula and Weight: C₉H₉NO₃Na₂, molecular weight 233.16.

Chemical Properties

Stability: Stable under dry, light-protected, and ambient temperature conditions; may decompose under high temperatures, humid conditions, or in strongly acidic or basic environments—proper storage is essential.

Optical Activity: As a derivative of L-tyrosine, it retains the L-configuration and exhibits optical activity (specific rotation varies with concentration, solvent, etc.).

Chemical Reactivity: Contains phenolic hydroxyl, amino (as the anionic form in salt), and carboxylate groups, capable of undergoing oxidation, esterification, condensation, and other reactions. For example, the phenol group can be oxidized to quinone derivatives.

II. Performance Characteristics

Good Biocompatibility: As an amino acid derivative, it is highly compatible with biological systems and can participate in normal metabolic processes upon entering the body. It is generally safe within appropriate dosage ranges.

Excellent Water Solubility: Compared to free-form L-tyrosine, the sodium salt exhibits significantly improved solubility due to ionic dissociation, making it especially suitable for use in liquid formulations (such as injections or oral solutions), allowing for rapid dissolution and efficacy.

Moderate Stability: Can be stably stored under standard conditions but should be protected from strong light, high temperatures, and extreme pH to avoid degradation or discoloration.

Nutritional Activity: Retains the biological activity of L-tyrosine, an essential precursor to aromatic amino acids. It plays roles in protein synthesis and the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and adrenaline.

III. Applications

Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Supplements

Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition: Owing to its good solubility, it is often used in the formulation of amino acid injections and oral nutritional supplements, providing essential amino acids to patients who cannot eat normally (e.g., post-operative or critically ill patients) to maintain nitrogen balance.

Neurotransmitter Support Products: As a supplemental form of L-tyrosine, it may help improve neurotransmitter synthesis in cases of tyrosine deficiency, alleviating fatigue and mood issues related to stress. It is also used as a nutritional enhancer for athletes or individuals undergoing intense mental activity (to be used under professional guidance).

Medical Nutrition for Special Conditions: Included in specialized medical formulas for patients with metabolic disorders such as liver diseases or phenylketonuria, helping regulate amino acid metabolism.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Skincare Ingredient: As a precursor of melanin, tyrosine can be used in cosmetic formulations to help regulate skin tone (usually in combination with other active ingredients). Its amino acid structure also provides some moisturizing benefits, making it useful in hydrating skincare products.

Biochemical and Research Fields

Culture Media Component: Used in microbial fermentation or cell culture to supply tyrosine as a nutrient source, supporting growth and proliferation. It can also serve as a biochemical reagent in studies of amino acid metabolism and enzyme activity assays.

L-Tyrosine Disodium Salt, with its excellent water solubility, biocompatibility, and nutritional functionality, has significant application value in pharmaceuticals, nutrition, cosmetics, and scientific research.