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What are amino acids ?

Amino acids are organic compounds that contain amino (-NH3+) and carboxylic acid (-CO2-) functional groups (ref to picture). They are the building blocks of all life on Earth and contribute to many vital functions in biological systems.

There are 20 amino acids essential to all living organisms. These amino acids are the basic building blocks which can be combined in an almost infinite number of variations to build different proteins. 

Those proteins have different functions: structural, metabolising, transport of nutrients, build-up of amino acid reserves and numerous others.

Different functions of amino acids

Below are listed some of the key functions of amino acids in plants.

  Metabolic processes involved
GluGlutamic acidIncreasing the shoot system, growth, and early yield.
ProProlineIncreasing tolerance to the hard conditions, activating pollen grain germination, organizing osmosis potential, maintaining the colloidal properties of the cell protoplasm, and removing the negative effect of free radicals.
SerSerineIncreasing plant tolerance to diseases, activating chlorophyll, and has a role in hormone balance inside plant.
   
 
  Metabolic processes involved
   
GlyGlycineActivating photosynthesis and raising its efficiency as it enhances chlorophyll formation and encourages vegetative growth as well as it has a role in pollination and fruitfulness.
AspAspartic acidEnhancing plant resistance to diseases.
ValValineAffecting the velocity of growth, root formation, and seed production.
ArgArginineIncreasing tolerance to the hard conditions such as heat, frost, drought, and salinity. It has a role in chlorophyll formation and enhancing root formation as well as cell division and poly amid formation.
AlaAlanineAffecting plant growth velocity and activating chlorophyll formation.
LleIsoleucineIncreasing the shoot system, growth, and early yield.
PhePhenylalanineImproving plant cells and embryo formation.
LysLysineIncreasing the shoot system, growth, and early yield.
TyrTyrosineIncreasing plant tolerance to diseases.
CysCysteineIncreasing vital processes and regulating them within plants and increasing the disease resistance.
MetMethionineAccelerates the fruit ripening as it enters the cycle of ethylene formation and has a role in the root activation.