Aminovital Singapore

Amino Acids and aminoVITAL

In 1908, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda (1864 – 1936) at Tokyo Imperial University (The University of Tokyo now) discovered that the umami component of kelp seaweed was glutamic acid, an amino acid. The following year, he became the first scientist to industrially manufacture the amino acid, which he named Ajinomoto, an umami seasoning. He thus lay the foundation for amino acid research.

Amino acids are components of proteins that form the human body. Their efficacy in providing nutrients to accelerate recovery from illnesses, as well as their individual physiological actions, drew attention and led to an increased medical demand. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. initially extracted only glutamic acid from wheat and soy proteins by hydrolysis. However, as the company began separating other amino acids and extracting them in crystal forms, its research began to focus on the use of amino acids for medical purposes by drawing on their individual characteristics. In 1956, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. successfully extracted high-purity amino acids in crystals and developed an amino acid transfusion-free from side effects, creating the world’s first amino acid-based medical product. Amino acid research continued around the world after this, and amino acids became essential in nutritional therapy designed to accelerate patient’s post-surgery recovery, among other purposes. This marked the dawn of amino acid use in clinical nutrition, and today 5,000 tons of amino acid transfusions are used per year worldwide. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has a 60% share of this global market.

The Birth of aminoVITAL®, an evolving source of amino acids

With a century-long history of amino acid R&D and a half-century history of research in medical amino acids, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. recently applied its long-nurtured development and manufacturing expertise to the area of sports under the concept of “Amino Acid Science for Sports.” Of all the amino acids, valine, leucine and isoleucine, known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), have garnered the most attention as the sources of energy for exercise. These amino acids, themselves acting as sources of energy, are important nutrients for athletes to prolong their endurance. In 1995, the company implemented “aminoVITAL® PRO”, a supplement for athletes that contained twelve amino acids including BCAAs, vitamins and minerals. It has also developed other products for sports enthusiasts since then. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. supports the joy of sports through “aminoVITAL®”. At the Ajinomoto National Training Center, it builds on its research to support training, nutrition, and rest—the important factors for enhancing performance— based on its know-how built through its century-long history of amino acid research.