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Product Line: Life Science

D-Leucine

CAS 328-38-1

Molecular structure of D-Leucine

CAS · 328-38-1

01

Product Overview

D-Leucine is a high-purity amino-acid supplied for industrial and specialty chemical applications. Contact our team for specifications, packaging options and lead times.

02

Product Specifications

Item Specification
Appearance White crystal powder
Assay 98.0% to 101.0%
Identification HPLC retention time corresponds to WRS under assay item
Isomer Purity Max 0.5%
Specific Rotation +14.0° to +16.0° (C=4, 6N HCl)
Residue on Ignition Max 0.4%
Loss on Drying Max 0.5%
Non-Animal Origin Conforms
03

Applications

1. Pharmaceutical and Drug Formulations

a. Excipient in Inhalation Therapies

● D-Leucine丨CAS 328-38-1 is increasingly used as an aerosol dispersibility enhancer in dry powder inhalers (DPIs).

● It improves:
Flowability
Particle dispersibility
Stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)

● Commonly co-spray-dried with APIs to enhance lung deposition of drugs for respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.

b. Chiral Intermediate in Drug Synthesis

● D-Leucine丨CAS 328-38-1 serves as a chiral building block for the synthesis of stereochemically pure pharmaceuticals.

● It is used in:
Peptide synthesis
Antibiotic development
Non-proteinogenic amino acid derivatives

● Its chirality allows for stereoselective reactions, critical in the development of optically pure drugs.

2. Nutritional and Clinical Research

Though not commonly used in nutritional supplements, D-leucine is of growing interest in metabolism research, particularly in:

● Studying amino acid racemization and its roles in aging and disease

● Investigating the transport and metabolism of D-amino acids in the brain and other tissues

● Understanding D-amino acid oxidase activity, which plays a role in neurotransmitter regulation

In some cases, D-Leucine has been explored for:

● Neuroprotective effects

● Modulation of neurotransmission

3. Biotechnology and Peptide Design

● Used in the synthesis of peptides and peptidomimetics where resistance to enzymatic degradation is required.

● Incorporation of D-amino acids, including D-Leucine, into peptides can:
Increase stability against proteases
Alter bioactivity and receptor selectivity
Enhance half-life and therapeutic efficacy

This application is particularly relevant in:

● Antimicrobial peptides

● Cancer-targeted peptides

● Hormone analogs

4. Analytical and Biochemical Research

● D-Leucine is used as a standard or reference compound in chiral chromatography, stereoselectivity studies, and enzymatic activity assays.

● Important in studying racemase enzymes that convert L- to D-amino acids and vice versa.

● Plays a role in the analysis of D-amino acid content in food, biological tissues, and pharmaceuticals.

04

Benefits

1. Enhances Pulmonary Drug Delivery

● D-Leucine's ability to form crystalline, low-density particles improves the aerodynamic properties of inhaled powders.

● It acts as a dispersion enhancer, helping particles avoid aggregation and reach deeper regions of the lungs.

● Offers a safe, biocompatible excipient for targeted pulmonary therapies.

2. Stability and Resistance in Peptides

● Substituting L- with D-leucine in peptides extends their lifespan in biological environments by increasing protease resistance.

● This is crucial for the development of long-acting therapeutic peptides, especially those targeting inflammatory or infectious diseases.

3. Stereoselective Utility

● D-Leucine丨CAS 328-38-1 allows for the synthesis of chiral drugs with improved selectivity, reduced side effects, and enhanced potency.

● Its use as a chiral auxiliary or synthesis intermediate supports the production of high-value pharmaceuticals and diagnostic agents.

4. Research Tool in Neurology and Aging

● D-amino acids like D-Leucine are found in trace amounts in human tissues and are involved in neuromodulation.

● Abnormal levels of D-Leucine and other D-amino acids have been linked to neurological disorders and age-related changes, making it a valuable biomarker and research compound.

Conclusion

D-Leucine丨CAS 328-38-1 is a specialized amino acid with growing relevance in pharmaceutical technology, peptide drug development, inhalation therapies, and biomedical research. Its unique stereochemistry offers benefits that go beyond its nutritional counterpart (L-Leucine), making it valuable in:

● Enhancing drug delivery systems

● Improving bioactive peptide stability

● Supporting chiral synthesis of complex molecules

● Expanding our understanding of D-amino acid biology

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05

Conclusion

A concise summary and suitability assessment for this product is available on request. Contact our team to discuss whether it fits your process and quality requirements.