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Production of Ajinomoto Glutamine is now on stream following the construction of a new facility in Limeira, Brazil. Glutamine is an amino acid that is used widely in clinical nutrition products, pharmaceuticals and sports drinks. Demand has risen sharply in recent years as more evidence of the therapeutic benefits of glutamine has been published. Glutamine can help to strengthen the immune system, alleviate nervous disorders and play a role in the treatment of wounds. Glutamine is also used in combination with other amino acids in products for amateur and professional sportsmen and women.

Research has demonstrated that glutamine stimulates muscle synthesis, aiding muscle repair following strenuous exercise. Glutamine is increasingly used in sports nutrition supplements as scientists’ understanding of the advantages of providing supplementary amino acids grows, and as consumer awareness of the benefits increases.

In Japan, where the market was pioneered, products with amino acids have helped the sports drinks sector to gain a 10 per cent share of the beverage market. Amino Vital, a sports drink with amino acids, has recently been launched in the United States and demand looks set to extend to Europe where the sports nutrition industry is growing rapidly. In 2005, United Kingdom sales of sports nutrition products reached £180 million with analysts predicting that the market will grow a further 30 per cent by 2010.

The factory in Brazil is one of the world’s largest amino acid production facilities, helping Ajinomoto consolidate its position as the leading amino acids manufacturer. As well as glutamine, the new plant will also produce the branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine.

The Ajinomoto Group, which holds a 60 per cent share of the market in pharmaceutical and nutritional amino acids, has increased capacity in response to rising global demand for amino acids. Ajinomoto employs advanced biocatalytic technology to synthesise glutamine. The ingredient is produced in a fermentation process by which enzymes convert a source of carbohydrate into glutamine. This technique ensures both the purity and quality of Ajinomoto Glutamine.

Amino Vital, targeted at athletes and marketed by Ajinomoto in Japan and the United States, contains glutamine.

Amino Vital, targeted at athletes and marketed by Ajinomoto in Japan and the United States, contains glutamine.

New Ajinomoto Glutamine factory in Limeira, Brazil