Applications
L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid which is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It acts as a natural dietary supplement and used as an antidepressant, anxiolytic and sleep aid. It is used as a precursor to niacin, indole alkaloids and serotonin. It acts as an important intrinsic fluorescent probe, which finds to estimate the nature of microenvironment of the tryptophan.

Solubility
Soluble in water, ammonia, hot alcohol, alkali hydroxides and dilute acids. Slightly soluble in acetic acid and ethanol. Insoluble in chloroform and ethyl ether.

Notes
Incompatible with strong acids and strong oxidizing agents.