Study 1. . Applications of different doses of L- and D-α-amino acids to chrysanthemum plants show that in general, L forms have a better performance in formation of new sprouts (longest sprouts.) The authors suggest that the D form, thanks to its internal structure, similar to that of L- and D-α-amino acids, can interact with anti metabolites. They initially incorporate to peptide chains and later block the synthesis because the sequences do not follow the exact pattern of natural amino acids.

Study 2. Several investigations carried out by the University of Dundee, Scotland (United Kingdom) have studied the behaviour of biomass when it receive a complement of L- y D-α-amino acids. The results of these studies prove that applying L-α-amino acids significantly increases the quantity of CO2 emitted by the biomass as compared to the application of D-α-amino acids. The difference, which can be up to 6 to 8 times higher, remains the same independent of the type of soil and of the different contents of biomass in them.

L- and D -α- amino acids

The -α-amino acids, as it is well known, are organic substances that posses an acid group (-COOH) and a basic group (-NH2) in turn united to a carbon (C) called α, in turn united to a hydrogen (H) and a R side chain. This chain can produce different amino acids depending on its composition. There are two different isomers for every amino acid, depending on the situation of the radicals projecting from the α carbon.

Fig.1 L-α-amino acids compose proteins found in living beings.

The union of amino acids creates all the types of proteins existing in all living beings, either plant or animal. Although it can be a surprise, in these proteins we can only find amino acids of configuration L, because proteins are formed with the help of enzymes that only insert L-amino acids in the protein chain.

We can deduce from all this data that the biological activity of amino acid based products is directly related to the quantity of L shaped amino acids contained by the plant. To obtain these products from natural proteins, the method used (like the enzymatic hydrolysis used by BIOIBERICA) must be very careful with the raw material so that amino acids obtained maintain their natural shape and, therefore, an optimal biological activity.

Terra-Sorb 4 macro radicular, Terra-Sorb foliar and AminoQuelant-Ca, products made from natural proteins enzymatically hydrolyzed, contain in their formula amino acids of the L type. This ensures maximum absorption of the amino acids by the plant.

References Study 1
Woltz Growth-Modifying & Antimetabolite Effects of Amino Acids on Crysanthemum, Plant Physiology, 1962. pp 93 - 99.
Woltz & Jackson. Production of yellow strapleaf of Crysanthemum and similar disorders by amino acid treatment. Plant Physiology, 1962. pp 197 - 200.

References Study 2
Hopkins, D., et al, Soil Biology & Biochemistry (1997), Vol.29. Nº1, pp 23-29.
O`Dowd, et al. Soil Biology & Biochemistry (1997). Vol. 29, Nº 11/12, pp 1665.1671.
Hopkins, D. et al, Progress in nitrogen cycling studies: Proceedings of the 8th Nitrogen Workshop held at the University of Ghent. 5-8 September, 1994 (1996) pp 57-61.