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TOKYO, March 24, 2014 - Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.) has established an industrial manufacturing process for L-Tyrosine using a fermentation method with plants as the raw material. As a result, the substantial technological strengths of Ajinomoto Co. have enabled the world’s first stable supply of L-Tyrosine with a guaranteed higher level of safety and 100% traceability of raw materials, in contrast with L-Tyrosine manufactured with the extraction method using animal- and plant-derived raw materials. Ajinomoto Co. plans to begin sales of the product as an amino acid for specialty applications within 2014.
Because L-Tyrosine is an important amino acid for building proteins, it is used as a nutritional component in amino acid infusions. In recent years, demand has also been rising for L-Tyrosine as a component of cell culture media for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, which are attracting attention as treatments for cancer and rheumatism. L-Tyrosine has previously been produced from animal- and plant-derived raw materials using an extraction process. However, in response to the growing social problem of infectious diseases, such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and avian influenza, there has been an increase in calls to ensure the traceability of raw materials used in infusions and culture media with verification that they contain no viruses or infectious proteins.
The traceability of L-Tyrosine extracted from animal- and plant-derived raw materials could not be guaranteed. However, the fermentation method developed by Ajinomoto Co. for producing L-Tyrosine is able to ensure 100% traceability of raw materials. Also, unlike the extraction method, which is dependent on the raw materials used for extraction, the fermentation method allows stable production using abundant plants as raw materials, making it possible to meet continuing growth in demand for high-quality L-Tyrosine for specialty applications.
The Ajinomoto Group will contribute to healthy lives by supplying specialty products for biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine and other fields on the periphery of cutting-edge medicine that require a high level of safety and traceability of raw materials.
Note: Traceability
The Ajinomoto Group has created a traceability system for rapidly checking information on the history of its products. At each stage of production, processing, and distribution of food products, information on the source of raw materials, product suppliers, delivery destinations and other matters is recorded and stored so that the movement of all raw materials and products can be traced. The Ajinomoto Group applies the same traceability system to its amino acid products for specialty applications.
About Ajinomoto Co.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,172.4 billion (USD 14.1 billion) in fiscal 2012. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.
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