L-Lysine-L-Aspartate: Understanding the Material, Properties, and Applications

What is L-Lysine-L-Aspartate?

L-Lysine-L-Aspartate brings together two essential amino acids—L-Lysine and L-Aspartic acid—into a molecular union. You get a white to off-white solid, often found in flakes, powder, or crystalline forms. The chemical structure is driven by the combination of lysine’s basic side chain and aspartic acid’s acidic side chain, resulting in a compound with notable solubility in water. L-Lysine-L-Aspartate has the molecular formula C10H20N2O6, which creates a very distinct molecular weight of around 264.28 g/mol. People who work in dietary supplementation, animal nutrition, or even industrial production often talk about the performance of this dipeptide both as a nutritive additive and as a functional component in specific processing streams.

Properties and Physical Character

This compound stands out for its physical and chemical traits. In solid state, it usually presents as crystalline flakes or fine powder, but it’s also available as pearls or granules depending on processing techniques. If you take a closer look at the density, it measures roughly 1.28 g/cm³ at room temperature. L-Lysine-L-Aspartate dissolves quickly in water, forming a clear solution, which matters for food developers, researchers, and pharmacists working with nutrition blends. Compared to pure L-Lysine or L-Aspartate, the combined dipeptide lets you harness absorption rates and reduce some gastrointestinal irritations linked to large doses of single amino acids.

In terms of safety and handling, L-Lysine-L-Aspartate does not lay claim to the harsh reputations of more hazardous chemicals. It tends to be non-hazardous under standard handling and storage, though direct inhalation of fine powder or eye contact might irritate the mucosa. Always a good move to use protective gloves and safety goggles in industrial settings, especially when moving raw materials in bulk. For those dealing with environmental regulations, this compound does not usually show up as a primary concern for spill containment or hazardous waste protocols, giving manufacturers some breathing room compared to more reactive or hazardous intermediates.

Chemical Structure and Material Science Insight

A quick glance under a microscope would reveal the molecular makeup that puts L-Lysine-L-Aspartate in the family of amino acid derivatives. It’s essentially a dipeptide: one lysine molecule bound to an aspartic acid through a peptide bond. This bond gives the material its stable, solid character and resistance to rapid degradation in dry conditions. The molecule’s zwitterion structure—where both positive and negative charges are present—plays a key role in how well the compound interacts with solvents and other chemicals. It can form hydrogen bonds, contributing to its solubility and making it valuable as a raw ingredient for further chemical syntheses and food fortification.

Specifications and Standards

Markets dealing in international trade classify L-Lysine-L-Aspartate under the HS Code 29241990, covering other amino acids and derivatives. Suppliers usually cite a purity above 98 percent by HPLC for food and pharmaceutical applications. Most technical data sheets will mention specifications for moisture content—usually less than 1.0 percent—to keep stability high during storage or shipping. There’s a focus on heavy metal and microbial levels, with stringent limits for use in regulated markets. Quality-conscious buyers seek raw materials with Certificates of Analysis verifying batch potency, microbial absence, and compliance with food safety standards. Bulk shipments might appear in 25 kg fiber drums, 1 kg aluminum foil bags, or even as solution in liter-based totes for easier metering into production setups. Manufacturers keep close tabs on crystalline uniformity and particle size, since these factors influence how the compound handles in extrusion mixers, pharmaceutical blenders, or tabletting equipment.

Applications and Material Role Across Industries

Animal feed, human nutrition, and specialty chemical sectors see L-Lysine-L-Aspartate as a way to overcome the limitations of conventional amino acid supplementation. Rather than delivering free lysine or aspartate, where rapid absorption can cause blood chemistry swings or mild digestive upset, dipeptide forms slow things down, buffer the release rate, and improve retention in metabolic pathways. Product developers count on this property when formulating supplements for endurance athletes or livestock where more stable plasma profiles are essential for muscle growth, recovery, and overall well-being. Laboratory workers find this material to be reliable as a reagent, sometimes utilized as a nitrogen source for pharmaceutical fermentation or as a stabilizer in enzyme reactions.

Processing flexibility comes from the solid, powder, or pelletized material handling options. The flakes are easy to blend, weigh, and dose, reducing clumping and sorting problems compared to some other powdery organic acids. Water solubility means the compound can be used directly in liquid nutritional products or dissolved for injection-grade pharmaceutical solutions. Research reports indicate that L-Lysine-L-Aspartate requires only basic storage precautions: dry, cool, well-ventilated spaces work best to prevent cake formation or microbial growth, and opaque packaging helps prevent degradation from light exposure.

Safe Handling and Safety Assessments

Having handled a range of food and feed additives on the bench and in commercial settings, I can say L-Lysine-L-Aspartate rarely raises safety flags. Dermal contact, in my experience, does not typically cause reactions, though standard hygiene like thorough hand washing remains smart practice. Respiratory exposure matters more–especially in powder form–so using dust masks around open containers helps prevent irritation. Regulatory agencies do not classify L-Lysine-L-Aspartate as hazardous in the classical sense, and most Safety Data Sheets confirm this assessment. Still, users dealing with large quantities should always consider risk management, both with protective gear and by training staff in safe chemical handling.

Challenges, Solutions, and Looking Ahead

Supply chain stability matters. Raw materials like L-Lysine-L-Aspartate depend on upstream fermentation or synthesis of the component amino acids. In my work with production facilities, we pay attention to traceability and the integrity of vendor documentation because the purity of lysine and aspartic acid batches can drift, affecting the final dipeptide’s performance. Investing in analytical laboratory capability, with regular spot checks and batch analyses, provides clarity and avoids product recalls or regulatory headaches. Sustainable sourcing stands out as a hot topic these days, too. Demand for animal-source-free or plant-derived amino acids continues to rise, so companies combining lysine and aspartic acid look for fermentation streams based on renewable feedstocks rather than petrochemical or animal origins.

The growth of global nutrition and specialty chemical markets places L-Lysine-L-Aspartate as a reliable, safe, and flexible raw material, with broad use spanning powders, solids, flakes, pearls, liquid solutions, and crystalline forms. Whether working in the lab or on a production floor, understanding the chemical, physical, and supply details leads to better handling, safer outcomes, and more consistent end use—delivering exactly what food scientists, formulators, and end consumers expect from a modern amino acid derivative.