Approximately 10–20% yields of alpha-ureidopropionamide and alpha-ureidoisovaleramide were obtained as major by-products in the synthesis of 5-methylhydantoin and 5-iso-propylhydantoin, respectively, by the Gaudry (3) technique. The two compounds can be hydrolyzed to their corresponding amino acids, DL-alanine and DL-valine, in alkaline solution or recyclized to their corresponding hydantoins with mineral acid.