asymmetric synthesis of amino acids

Asymmetric synthesis of amino acids refers to chemical methods that produce specific forms, or enantiomers, of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids can exist in two mirror-image forms, often referred to as "left-handed" and "right-handed." In nature, most amino acids used in proteins are left-handed. Asymmetric synthesis techniques utilize special catalysts or reactions that favor the production of one form over the other, enabling the efficient creation of desired amino acids for pharmaceutical research, biochemistry, and dietary supplements, while minimizing the production of unwanted forms.