Dietary requirements of “nutritionally non-essential amino acids” by animals and humans

Abstract

Amino acids are necessary for the survival, growth, development, reproduction and health of all organisms. They were traditionally classified as nutritionally essential or non-essential for mammals, birds and fish based on nitrogen balance or growth. It was assumed that all "non-essential amino acids (NEAA)" were synthesized sufficiently in the body to meet the needs for maximal growth and health. However, there has been no compelling experimental evidence to support this assumption over the past century. NEAA (e.g., glutamine, glutamate, proline, glycine and arginine) play important roles in regulating gene expression, cell signaling, antioxidative responses, neurotransmission, and immunity. Additionally, glutamate, glutamine and aspartate are major metabolic fuels for the small intestine to maintain its digestive function and protect its mucosal integrity. Therefore, based on new research findings, NEAA should be taken into consideration in revising the classical "ideal protein" concept and formulating balanced diets to improve protein accretion, food efficiency, and health in animals and humans.

Cold atmospheric plasma manipulation of proteins in food systems

“…Amino acids are necessary for the growth, survival, and health of the human body, especially nutritionally essential amino acids that must be supplied by the food sources. For instance, methionine makes a crucial contribution to the metabolism of cells (Wu et al, 2013). Methionine is considered as a hydrophobic essential amino acid frequently found in the interior hydrophobic core (Brosnan and Brosnan, 2006).…”

Functional amino acids in nutrition and health

“…Dietary requirements of AA depend on species, developmental stage, physiological status, the microbiota in the lumen of the small intestine, environmental factors, and pathological states (Dai et al 2011(Dai et al , 2012aWu et al 2013). Thus, some of the AA that are synthesized by animals have been classified as conditionally essential because rates of their utilization are greater than rates of their synthesis under certain conditions (e.g., early weaning, lactation, pregnancy, burns, injury, infection, heat stress, and cold stress) (Wu 2009).…”

Metabolomic analysis of plasma and liver from surplus arginine fed Atlantic salmon

“…Another factor possibly affecting the results, is the use of glycine in the control diet, as glycine has been proposed as a functional amino acid (24) and may affect gene expression, cell signaling and antioxidant responses among others (25,26). Glycine supplementation has recently been reported to increase weight gain in shrimp (27).…”

“…This can be achieved by using more tanks for each diet or by analyzing several individual fish from each tank, increasing the number of measurements. The authors acknowledge this flaw, however the results still show there is an underlining metabolic effect of arginine and demonstrates the power of applying metabolomic analysis to investigate the effects of amino acid supplementation on fish nutrition and metabolism.Another factor possibly affecting the results, is the use of glycine in the control diet, as glycine has been proposed as a functional amino acid (24) and may affect gene expression, cell signaling and antioxidant responses among others (25,26). Glycine supplementation has recently been reported to increase weight gain in shrimp (27).…”