ADDA ((all-''S'',all-''E'')-3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4,6-dienoic acid) is a
non-proteinogenic amino acid found in toxins made by
cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria ( ) are a group of autotrophic gram-negative bacteria that can obtain biological energy via oxygenic photosynthesis. The name "cyanobacteria" () refers to their bluish green (cyan) color, which forms the basis of cyanobacteri ...
. Toxins which include this amino acid include
microcystins and
nodularins.
Along with leucine and arginine, it is found in
microcystin-LR, an extremely toxic compound produced by cyanobacteria. In order to treat a water supply contaminated with microcystin-LR,
chlorination can be used to oxidize the double bonds of ADDA in order to initiate the chemical breakdown of this compound.
References
Beta-Amino acids
Non-proteinogenic amino acids
{{OrganicAcid-stub