Unique Metabolic Roles Of Methionine Both Free And In Proteins

Methionine is an amino acid( a building block of protein) hence cannot be produced by the body but only supplied by the diet. This amino acid with the chemical formula HO2HO2CCH (NH2) CH2CH2CH3. This amino acid is scientifically classified as non-polar due to its straight chain that has an S-methyl thioether (C-S-C bonding) at the -carbon (Jackson W.R & Block γ J.R, 1982).For a normal metabolism and growth in human beings, the amino acid must supply sulfur and other essential compounds. Methionine belongs to various groups of compounds including lipotropic which is chemical that helps the human liver process lipids. This amino acid was ilosated in 1922 from casein to belong to the later groups. Other groups in this category include choline, betaine, and inositol.