N-Acetyl-L-asparagine

N-Acetyl-L-asparagine is a synthetic, non-toxic amino acid that inhibits the activity of pancreatic lipase, an enzyme involved in lipid metabolism. N-Acetyl-L-asparagine may be useful in the treatment of obesity and diabetes. This compound also has tumor inhibition properties and is detectable in human urine. N-Acetyl-L-asparagine is synthesized by reacting acetic acid with L-aspartic acid in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and sulfate ions. The acetyl derivative is then purified by column chromatography on sephadex g-100 to yield N-acetyl asparagine.