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Beta_Alanine



  • Beta-alanine is a naturally occurring beta-amino acid. Beta-amino acids are amino acids in which the amino group is attached to a beta carbon atom (i.e., a carbon atom two atoms away from the carboxyl group) rather than the more common alpha carbon atom. Beta-alanine is known by IUPAC nomenclature as 3-aminopropanoic acid. Unlike alpha-alanine, beta-alanine does not have a steric center.
  • Beta-alanine serves as a precursor to carnosine (through its combination with histidine), which acts as a regulator of muscle acidity, thus delaying fatigue during exercise.

Scientific Data:



• IUPAC Name: Beta-Alanine - 3-Aminopropanoic Acid

• Other Names: 3-Aminopropionic Acid

• PubChem CID 239

• Chemical Formula: C₃H₇NO₂

• Molar Mass: 89.094 g/mol

• Appearance: White bipyramidal crystals

• Odor: Odorless

• Density: 1.437 g/cm³ (19°C)

• Melting Point: 207°C (405°F; 480 K) (decomposes)

• Solubility in Water: 54.5 g/100 mL

• Solubility: Soluble in methanol. Insoluble in diethyl ether and acetone.

• Acidity (pKa): Carboxyl (3.5)-Amino (10.24)-H₂O (1)

Beta-Alanine uses:



• Uses of Beta-Alanine in the veterinary medicine sector:

  • Racehorses and Camels: Used to increase carnosine levels, which reduces lactic acid buildup in muscles, helping the animal maintain its top speed for longer.
  • Performance and Endurance Enhancement: Enhances muscle endurance and delays fatigue during intense training.
  • Animal Production: Helps improve feed conversion rates and increases meat quality and muscle fiber density.
  • Antioxidant: Protects mitochondria from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, ensuring a continuous energy supply.
  • Complementary Therapeutic Uses: Can be used as part of a nutritional supplement to support the health of pets, especially cancer patients, to improve immunity.

 

• Uses of Beta-Alanine in Human Medicine:

  • Improved Athletic Performance: It helps reduce neuromuscular fatigue and enhance endurance, especially in high-intensity exercises such as running, cycling, and swimming.
  • Increased Carnosine: Beta-alanine is the limiting component of carnosine production within muscles, which acts as a pH regulator and reduces the buildup of hydrogen ions that cause muscle "burnout" and fatigue.
  • Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory: Thanks to its antioxidant properties, carnosine is beneficial in supporting cell health and function.
  • Benefits for Older Adults: Evidence suggests its role in reducing neuromuscular fatigue and improving endurance in older adults.
  • Delayed Fatigue: It helps delay the onset of fatigue and increase muscle mass and strength by preventing the buildup of lactic acid.


• Uses of Beta-Alanine in Agriculture:

  • Stress resistance: It plays a protective role for plant cells exposed to stress caused by oxygen deficiency or harsh environmental conditions.
  • Improved plant growth: It is used as a bio stimulant to enhance nutrient absorption, increase chlorophyll, and improve photosynthesis.
  • Synthesis of defensive compounds: It acts as a precursor for the synthesis of intracellular compounds (such as carnosine and anzirin in some studies) that neutralize cell acidification and act as antioxidants.
  • Improved productivity: It contributes to increased vegetative growth and faster plant growth, leading to a higher final yield.


• Use of Beta-Alanine in the Cosmetics Sector:

  • Anti-aging: Beta-alanine helps increase carnosine levels, which protects cells from oxidative stress and maintains healthy skin and tissues as we age.
  • Improves skin texture: Due to its role in supporting the nervous system and reducing muscle fatigue, it may contribute to maintaining a youthful appearance, as it is produced internally and affects tissue elasticity.
  • Tingling sensation: A common side effect, causing a temporary tingling or itching sensation on the skin, especially at doses higher than 2-5 grams. This is a harmless effect and usually resolves over time.


• Use of Beta-Alanine in Dietary Supplements and Muscle Building:

  • Delays muscle fatigue: Carnosine acts as a buffer, reducing the buildup of hydrogen ions that cause muscle acidity and burning sensations, allowing you to perform several more repetitions.
  • Increases muscle endurance: Particularly effective for exercises lasting 1 to 10 minutes.
  • Significant support for muscle mass: By increasing the ability to train at higher intensity for longer periods, muscle growth is better stimulated, especially when combined with creatine.