DL-Methionine

The racemic synthetic form of methionine, dominant for animal feed applications. Methionine is the most-limiting essential amino acid in corn-soy diets for poultry and one of the top three for swine, making industrial methionine fortification essential for cost-effective livestock production.

White to pale yellow crystalline powder with characteristic faint sulfurous odor. The DL-racemic form contains both D and L enantiomers; livestock species can utilize both, while humans require the L-enantiomer specifically.

We supply feed-grade and food-grade DL-Methionine from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Feed Grade 99 percent (the dominant volume application), Food Grade FCC compliant, Pharmaceutical Grade L-Methionine (for human applications), and Methionine Hydroxy Analog (MHA, the liquid feed-grade alternative).

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, specific rotation (the marker distinguishing DL from L), heavy metals, and microbiology.

Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid required for protein synthesis, methylation reactions, and as a precursor for cysteine and glutathione biosynthesis. The amino acid is the most-limiting nutrient in modern corn-soy poultry diets, making industrial methionine fortification absolutely essential for cost-effective broiler and layer production.

Industrial production proceeds primarily by chemical synthesis from acrolein, methanethiol, and hydrogen cyanide, yielding the DL-racemic mixture. Pure L-Methionine for human applications is produced by enzymatic resolution of the racemic mixture or by direct fermentation, at substantially higher cost.

Recognized as a permitted food ingredient by the U.S. FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and equivalent regulators worldwide. Listed in BP, USP, EP, and JP pharmacopoeias (for the L-form).

The DL-racemic form is preferred for animal feed because livestock species possess D-amino acid oxidase that converts the D-enantiomer to the corresponding alpha-keto acid, which is then transaminated to L-methionine. Humans have very limited D-amino acid oxidase activity for methionine specifically, making the L-form required for human applications.

Strategic positioning is dominated by animal feed at industrial scale, with annual global DL-methionine production exceeding 1.5 million tonnes. China dominates production capacity.

• Animal feed: poultry, swine, aquaculture, and dairy fortification; the dominant single application globally (methionine is the most-limiting amino acid in poultry diets)
• Pharmaceutical applications: L-Methionine specifically for parenteral nutrition
• Veterinary pharmaceutical formulations
• Pet food fortification
• Premix manufacturing for livestock nutrition
• Specialty chemical synthesis