Aspartic acid
Aspartic acid, an amino acid obtainable as a product of the hydrolysis of proteins. First isolated in 1868 from legumin in plant seeds, aspartic acid is one of several so-called nonessential amino acids for mammals; i.e., they can synthesize it from oxaloacetic acid (formed in the metabolism of carbohydrates) and do not require dietary sources. The chemical structure of aspartic acid is
This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Aspartic acid
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
11 November 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026