The Power of Amino Acids
At Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., our purpose is clear: to improve lives around the world by unlocking the transformative potential of amino acids. Through our “AminoScience” approach, we develop science-backed solutions that advance nutrition, health, and wellbeing.
About our Amino Acid Division A Legacy of Innovation
With over 110 years of history, the Ajinomoto Group is a leading supplier of pharmaceutical and research-grade amino acids, known for pioneering the fermentation process in the 1950s and maintaining industry leadership today.
Facilities
Flexible Formats. Precision Blending.
We offer pharmaceutical-grade amino acids in various packaging options, from 1 kg pails for R&D to 50 kg bulk for manufacturing.
Our cGMP blending and pulverization services deliver custom amino acid formulations that streamline production, reduce testing, and optimize inventory management.
United States Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.
4020 Ajinomoto Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
Brazil Ajinomoto do Brasil Inc. e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda.
Rodovia Anhanguera, Km. 131
Acesso para Estrada Municipal Hans Georg Krauss (LIM-285)
Bairro Jaguari – Limeira, SP
Brazil 13489-800
China Shanghai Ajinomoto Acid Co. Ltd
No 718 East Rongle Road
Songjiang District
Shanghai PRC 201613
Japan Ajinomoto Co. Inc Kawasaki Plant
1-1 Suzuki-cho
Kawasaki-ku
Kawasaki-shi
Kanagawa-ken
210-8680 Japan
Japan Ajinomoto Co. Inc – Kyushu Plant
450 Morodomi-Cho
Saga-Gun
Saga-ken
840-2193 Japan
Japan Nippon Protein Co., Ltd.
575-1 Shimada-machi
Ashikaga-Shi
Tochigi-prefecture 326-0337 Japan
Expertise and Reliability
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. supplies multicompendial-grade amino acids for intravenous, pharmaceutical, and research applications.
Our manufacturing processes adhere to the highest global standards of purity and quality, with compliance across cGMP, JP, USP, EP, ChP, US DMF, JDMF, CEP, CDMF, ICH, CFR, and ISO frameworks.
As part of our enterprise risk management framework, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. maintains dedicated warehouse facilities aligned with our manufacturing operations. This structure supports regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and continuity of service across the supply chain.
Purity Standards
We uphold high-purity standards to ensure consistent product quality and regulatory alignment.
Blend Size
We offer blend sizes ranging from 500 to 3500 kgs to meet diverse needs.
Custom Packaging Options
We offer tailored packaging configurations to meet specific technical and operational requirements.
Our Solutions Featured Amino Acid Products
- White crystals or crystalline powder; strongly acid taste.
- White crystals or crystalline powder; strongly acid taste.
- White to slightly off-white, crystals or crystalline powder.
- White crystals or crystalline powder; tastes at first slightly sweet and then bitter.
- White crystals or crystalline powder.
- White to yellowish white crystals or crystalline powder; slightly bitter taste.
- White crystals or crystalline powder; slightly sweet taste.
- White crystals or crystalline powder; slightly bitter taste.
- L-Histidine Monohydrochloride Monohydrate.
Collaborate With Us Our Solutions Go Even Further
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition welcomes complex challenges and evolving consumer needs. Through collaboration and science-based innovation, we develop solutions that align tradition with today’s demands.
Collaborate with Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. to uncover new possibilities and expanded capabilities.
Over a Century of Amino Acid Experience
The Ajinomoto Group pioneered the use of fermentation in amino acid manufacturing, a legacy of innovation that continues to shape today’s advancements.
Decades of industry expertise have refined proprietary fermentation processes and patented technologies to support the development of high-quality solutions.
Amino Acids Basics
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are naturally occurring compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They play important roles in biological processes and are used across nutrition, healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. Their unique functions make them valuable in products and technologies that support health, well-being, and innovation.
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition supplies amino acids and amino acid-based solutions backed by more than a century of expertise in “AminoScience.”
What do amino acids do?
Amino acids help build proteins that support many essential functions in living organisms. In addition to supporting growth and maintenance, they contribute to areas such as nutrition, flavor, physiological health, and the development of new materials and technologies.
What is the difference between amino acids and proteins?
Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids linked together in a specific sequence. While amino acids are the individual building blocks, proteins are the larger structures they form. Different combinations of amino acids create proteins with different functions.
How many amino acids are there?
Hundreds of amino acids occur in nature, but 20 standard amino acids are commonly used to build proteins in living organisms. These amino acids combine in different ways to support a wide range of biological functions.
What are essential amino acids?
Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the human body in sufficient amounts and must be obtained through diet. They play important roles in protein synthesis, growth, tissue repair, and overall health.
Amino Acids in Industry
What are amino acids used for?
Amino acids are used in a wide range of applications, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, cell culture media, clinical nutrition, animal nutrition, food and beverage products, and personal care products. Depending on the application, they may serve as nutrients, formulation components, process ingredients, or functional materials.
What industries use amino acids?
Amino acids support industries ranging from healthcare and pharmaceuticals to biotechnology, food and wellness, animal nutrition, personal care, and advanced materials. Their versatility allows them to be used in both consumer products and highly specialized industrial applications.
Why are amino acids important in healthcare?
Amino acids support a variety of healthcare applications, including pharmaceutical formulations, intravenous nutrition products, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and cell culture media. They also play an important role in the research and development of emerging therapies.
How are amino acids used in cell culture media?
Amino acids help provide nutrients needed to support cell growth, viability, and productivity. They are an important component of cell culture media used in research, biologics manufacturing, stem cell applications, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy development.
Manufacturing and Quality
How are amino acids made?
Commercial amino acids are produced using specialized manufacturing processes, including fermentation and other production technologies. Manufacturing methods may vary depending on the amino acid and its intended application to meet the needs of different industries.
What should I look for in an amino acid supplier?
When selecting an amino acid supplier, it is important to consider manufacturing capabilities, supply reliability, regulatory expertise, technical support, and experience within your industry. The right supplier should understand your application requirements and provide consistent support throughout the product lifecycle.
How do I choose an amino acid supplier?
The best supplier for your organization depends on your application, quality requirements, and supply needs. Organizations often evaluate factors such as manufacturing expertise, product portfolio, regulatory support, reliable sourcing, and industry experience before making a decision.
What are L-amino acids?
L-amino acids are the naturally occurring form of amino acids most commonly used by living organisms to build proteins. They are widely utilized in healthcare, biotechnology, nutrition, and pharmaceutical applications because of their compatibility with biological systems.
Are all amino acids manufactured the same way?
No. Manufacturing methods can vary depending on the amino acid and intended application. Production processes are designed to meet the specific needs of different industries and end-use applications. Drawing on more than 100 years of amino acid research and innovation, Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition supports customers with amino acid solutions across healthcare, biotechnology, nutrition, and life sciences.
Applications and Product Development
How are amino acids used in pharmaceuticals?
Amino acids can be used as raw materials, formulation ingredients, intermediates, excipients, and process components in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. They help support the production of therapies while meeting the requirements of highly regulated environments.
What role do amino acids play in biopharmaceutical production?
Amino acids support protein production, fermentation processes, upstream bioprocessing, and biologics manufacturing. They are important ingredients in many processes used to develop and manufacture biologic medicines.
Can amino acids support advanced therapies?
Yes. Amino acids are used in applications related to cell culture, regenerative medicine, stem cell research, biologics manufacturing, and emerging cell therapy technologies. As advanced therapeutics continue to evolve, amino acids remain important building blocks within these fields.
How are amino acids used in animal nutrition?
Amino acids help nutritionists formulate diets that more precisely meet animals’ nutritional requirements. By balancing amino acids, nutrition programs can support growth, performance, and feed efficiency while helping optimize overall diet formulation.
What quality considerations matter when sourcing amino acids?
Key considerations include identity, purity, consistency, microbiological quality, specifications, regulatory compliance, traceability, documentation, and supply reliability.
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition upholds strict standards for safety and product quality. Our processes align with international certifications and regulations, including:
- GFSI Certified Facilities: The Ajinomoto Group actively acquires GFSI-recognized certifications at multiple manufacturing sites globally.
- USDA Organic: Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition offers a line of Organic Certified and Organic Compliant products.
- FSMA Compliance: Our U.S. facilities adhere to high food safety standards and have received industry recognition for our commitment to safety and standard adherence.
- Allergen Control Protocols: Detailed protocols are part of our ASQUA framework, which includes strict standards for Quality Control of Ingredients and Food GMP.
- Kosher/Halal: Many facilities and products are Kosher and Halal certified, including sites in Europe and the U.S. Certifications vary by region and specific product lines.
How does Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition ensure quality and consistency?
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition ensures quality and consistency through its proprietary Ajinomoto System of Quality Assurance (ASQUA), which applies quality management practices at every stage from product development through delivery. The system includes product planning, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, labeling, and continuous improvement based on customer feedback.
About Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition and “AminoScience”
What is “AminoScience”?
“AminoScience” is the Ajinomoto Group’s approach to understanding and applying the functions of amino acids to help address challenges related to health, wellbeing, nutrition, and sustainability. It encompasses the technologies, materials, services, and innovations that stem from more than a century of amino acid research.
How long has Ajinomoto Group been working with amino acids?
The Ajinomoto Group has been researching amino acids since its founding and has applied amino acid science for more than a century. This expertise has supported innovation across healthcare, food and wellness, information and communication technology, and sustainability-focused applications.
What industries does Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition serve with amino acid solutions?
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition serves customers across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and wellness, animal nutrition, and other specialized industries. Our amino acid solutions support applications ranging from biopharmaceutical manufacturing and cell culture media to clinical nutrition and advanced therapies.
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