An amino acid mixture is a solution or powder containing a combination of amino acids. The exact composition varies widely depending on the intended use.
Types of Amino Acid Mixtures
Several types of amino acid mixtures exist, each with a specific purpose:
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Complete Amino Acid Mixture: This type, like Promega's Amino Acid Mixture, Complete, contains all 20 essential amino acids, usually in equal concentrations (e.g., 1mM each). These mixtures are often used in cell-free protein expression systems. Promega
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Essential Amino Acid Mix: This type focuses only on the essential amino acids, those the body cannot produce itself and must obtain through diet. These are frequently used as dietary supplements to enhance muscle function and recovery in athletes. Neocate PubMed
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Specialized Amino Acid Mixtures: These mixtures have specific compositions designed for particular research or therapeutic purposes. For example, some mixtures are designed to improve collagen production or treat certain medical conditions. NCBI
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Metabolomics Amino Acid Mixes: These mixtures contain a variety of amino acids used in metabolomics research, often including isotopically labeled amino acids for tracing metabolic pathways. Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (Canonical)
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Lipid-Amino Acid Mixtures: Research is ongoing into the spontaneous emergence of membrane-forming structures from mixtures of lipids and amino acids, potentially relevant to the study of the origins of life. RSC Publishing
Various companies, like Sigma-Aldrich, offer a wide range of amino acid mixtures for research purposes. Sigma-Aldrich The specific composition and intended use should always be considered when selecting an amino acid mixture.
