“Left-Handed” or “Right-Handed?”

From the CoValence R&D Department:

Here at CoValence our amino acids are “Left-Handed” and most of our sugars are “Right-Handed,” just as it is in nature. We add to our products active ingredients that have the same handedness as those found naturally.

Amino acids and sugars are organic chemicals, i.e., they contain carbon atoms. Carbon atoms are associated with four bonds to each. When these four bonds are single bonds only, carbon bonds to four atoms. If these four bonds are to four uniquely different atoms or groups the carbon is said to be chiral. Chiral molecules have two possible enantiomers (forms), one “Left-Handed” and one “Right-Handed” version. Pictorially this is seen below:¹

In nature we find “Left-Handed” amino acids and typically “Right-Handed” sugars. These are used by living organisms whereas the alternate forms, “Right-Handed” amino acids and “Left-Handed” sugars, have no value. CoValence products only contain those chiral forms found in nature, therefore all of the material present will be of use and there will be no wasted chirally incorrect forms “along for the ride.”

Chirally-Correct products are produced in this manner. There are several nomenclature systems used for describing this handedness of these organic materials; R/S; +/-; d/l; D/L. The actual semantics of these nomenclature systems are confusing to say the least.² Nature uses the L-amino acids and typically D-sugars.

CoValence products are designed like nature with chiral molecules that mimic those found naturally. We believe this is the best way to deliver efficacious products.

1-http://web99.arc.nasa.gov/~astrochm/aachiral.html

2-http://chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/CHY251/dlwrong.html

Tags: amino acids, chiral, chirally-correct, left-handed, right-handed

Categories: CoValence Specific

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