# Amino acids (lysine, methionine): Characteristics

Why feed buyers pay for digestible content, not tonnes

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/characteristics/

What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.

Feed buyers pay for digestible amino acid content, not tonnes. Lysine HCl is about 78% lysine; lysine sulphate about 55% (indicative). Methionine is sold as 99% DL-methionine or 88% liquid hydroxy analogue, whose relative bio-efficacy is disputed. Flowability, dust and stability in pelleting matter to mills.

#### Properties that matter commercially

| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Active content** | L-lysine HCl 98.5% (about 78.8% lysine); lysine sulphate 70% (indicative) | Formulation and price per unit of lysine | indicative |
| **Methionine form** | DL-methionine 99%; MHA-FA 88% liquid | Choice depends on mill equipment and assumed bio-efficacy | indicative |
| **Rumen protection** | coated or analogue forms for dairy | Plain amino acids are degraded in the rumen | Faxian Gongchang 2026 (rumen-protected price) |

#### Commercial grades

- Lysine HCl 98.5%
- Lysine sulphate 70%
- Liquid lysine 50%
- DL-methionine 99%
- MHA liquid 88% and calcium salt
- Rumen-protected methionine and lysine
- L-threonine 98.5%
- L-tryptophan, L-valine, L-isoleucine
- Pharma and food grades

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/regulation/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/amino_acids/links/index.md)