It is a pyruvate family amino acid, a proteinogenic amino acid, a valine and a L-alpha-amino acid. ... Valine is a branched-chain essential amino acid that has stimulant activity. It promotes muscle growth and tissue repair. It is a precursor in the penicillin biosynthetic pathway.
Valine, an essential amino acid, is hydrophobic, and as expected, is usually found in the interior of proteins. Valine differs from threonine by replacement of the hydroxyl group with a methyl substituent.