What is α-alanine?

Alpha-alanine is a chemical substance used for

treatment of diabetes and hypoglycemia. It
converts glucose, which is a complex form of
sugar to a simpler one. It also helps in eliminating
excess toxins from the muscles to be transported
to liver. The excess toxins in the muscles are the
muscle proteins broken down to meet the energy
demands of our body. It is an amino-acid
produced inside our bodies to aid in regulating
body processes. It can be found in food such as
meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and fish.
Figure 1: Alpha-alanine

Other uses of α-alanine which is an aqueous amino acid are for research
purposes such as for solvents, CO2 capture and absorbents. However,
properties of α-alanine needed for evaluation have not yet been reported in
literature.
 METHODOLOGY

All equipments used to measure the properties of α-alanine have

computer to aid in determining accurate results.

Density measurement
The apparatus used to measure the density
of α-alanine was Anton Paar SVM (Stabinger
Viscometer) 3000
This apparatus uses Couette principle, where
the liquid is in between two cylinders that
rotates. The density is measured based on
the difference in speed between the two
cylinders.

Things needed to do while using the

apparatus
1. Prepare the solution needed
2. Place the solution inside the chamber
located beside the apparatus.
3. Press run on the computer
4. Wait for the results
Viscosity measurement
The apparatus used to measure the viscosity
of α-alanine was Anton Paar AMVn
(Automated Microviscometer)
The apparatus uses rolling ball/ falling ball
principle. The rolling ball/ falling ball principle
uses gravity as a method to measure
viscosity.

Inside the tube, where the ball will fall or

roll, is a fluid. The tube is inclined at a
specific angle. The time it takes for the ball
to travel against the fluid is the viscosity of
fluid.

Things needed to do in operating the apparatus.

1. Prepare the solution needed, which will be the fluid to be used.
2. Place the solution at the loading chamber located at the top part of
the apparatus.
3. Place the ball at the ball loading attached beside the top part of the
apparatus.
4. Press run on the computer, and the ball will drop.
5. Wait for the results
 Refractive index measurement
The apparatus used to measure the
viscosity of α-alanine was Anton Paar
Abbemat WR automatic refractometer
The apparatus uses light to measure the
angle of refraction. Inside the apparatus is
a light source, where it will strike the
sample solution. Striking two different
mediums with light will cause a refraction

As the composition of the mediums are

different, the angle of light will change. The
changes in the angle of light will be
compared to the previous one. The ratio
between the two angles is the index of
refraction.

Things needed to do in operating the apparatus.

1. Prepare the solution needed
2. Open the lid on the left side part of the apparatus. Which is a loading
chamber for solution
3. Place the solution inside where the solution will be analyzed.
4. Close the lid
5. Press run on the screen
6. Wait for the results
Electrical conductivity measurement
The apparatus used to measure the
viscosity of α-alanine was Suntex SC-
170 conductivity meter.
The apparatus uses electrodes to
measure the ability of the solution to
conduct electricity. Solutions such as α-
alanine, contains ions. These ions carry
charges, and the electrodes measure
how many ions were attracted to electrode.

The measured charges are directly

proportional to fluid conductivity. More
ions present and attracted to the
electrodes would result to higher
conductivity.

Things needed to do in operating the apparatus.

1. Prepare the solution needed
2. Placed the solution in a beaker
3. Dip the electrode of the conductivity meter when ready.
4. Wait for the results
 RESULTS of the EXPERIMENT

Results shows that there is a decrease in density, viscosity and refractive

index as temperature was increased due to thermal expansion. Meanwhile
electrical conductivity increases as temperature also increases due to faster
movement of ions. As temperature increases, the particles in a solution moves
faster which is defined by Kinetic molecular theory.

CONCLUSION

The densities, viscosities, refractive indices, and electrical conductivities

of aqueous a-alanine were measured over increased temperature and
concentration. These results suggest that the presented data in this
work could be useful in the design, optimization, and evaluation of
processes utilizing the amino acid systems studied