Comprehensive Amino Acids and Derivatives Analysis with Targeted Metabolomics Platform
After over a decade of method development, Creative Proteomics has built a robust platform combining GC-MS and LC-MS/MS to quantify and characterise more than 100 amino acids and their derivatives.
This targeted metabolomics service includes:
- 8 essential amino acids crucial for protein synthesis and metabolic regulation
- 2 semi-essential and several conditionally essential amino acids, whose roles shift during stress or disease
- 10 non-essential amino acids, important for cellular function and neurotransmission
- A wide array of bioactive amino acid derivatives, such as precursors to serotonin and nitric oxide
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- Introduction
- Our Services
- Workflow
- Platform
- Advantage
- Application
- Sample Requirement
- FAQ
- Case Study
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Why Targeted Metabolomics for Amino Acids Matters
Amino acids are far more than just the building blocks of proteins. They influence everything from cell signaling and gene expression to immune function and neurotransmitter balance. Their derivatives, such as serotonin, dopamine, and nitric oxide, are equally vital.
Targeted metabolomics focuses on the precise quantification of specific metabolites—in this case, amino acids and their derivatives. Unlike untargeted methods, targeted metabolomics offers higher sensitivity and specificity, making it the method of choice for biomarker discovery, metabolic pathway analysis, and disease research.
At Creative Proteomics, we offer comprehensive Amino Acid Analysis services, leveraging state-of-the-art mass spectrometry technologies to deliver precise, reproducible, and actionable results.
| Application Area | Amino Acids Studied | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Oncology | Arginine, Serine, Glutamine | Biomarker discovery & metabolic shifts |
| Nutrition & Diet | BCAAs, Essential AAs | Metabolic balance, muscle metabolism |
| Neurology | Tryptophan, Tyrosine | Neurotransmitter regulation |
What Is Targeted Metabolomics? And Why Focus on Amino Acids?
Targeted metabolomics involves the selective analysis of specific compounds, using high-precision tools like LC-MS/MS or GC-MS. When applied to amino acids and their derivatives, it helps researchers:
- Understand cellular metabolic flux
- Monitor physiological changes in disease
- Identify novel biomarkers for early detection
Compared to untargeted approaches, targeted metabolomics provides higher precision and lower detection limits—ideal for quantifying amino acids even in complex biological samples.
Learn more about amino acid composition analysis to understand protein structure and function in-depth.
How Creative Proteomics Delivers High-Accuracy Amino Acid Analysis
Creative Proteomics has become a global leader in contract research, known for its cutting-edge platforms and personalized service. We support academic labs, pharmaceutical firms, and biotech companies across a wide range of amino acid-related studies.
Why Choose Us:
Mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics
High-throughput and high-sensitivity
Customizable panels of amino acids & derivatives
Expert consulting and rapid data turnaround
| Provider | Technique | Amino Acids Covered | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative Proteomics | MS, LC-MS/MS | Wide-ranging AAs and derivatives | Preclinical, Nutritional, Oncology |
| LC-MS | 22 metabolites | Neuroscience, Diabetes | |
| GC/MS, LC/MS/MS | 70+ AAs | Pharma, Proteins |
Explore our specialized services:
Branched-Chain Amino Acids Analysis
| Quantitative Amino Acids List | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Metabolite | No | Metabolite | No | Metabolite | No | Metabolite |
| 1 | Glycine | 30 | L-Homoserine | 59 | Cysteinylglycine | 88 | N-Acetylcysteine |
| 2 | L-Alanine | 31 | L-Thyronine | 60 | Guanidoacetic acid | 89 | N-Acetylglutamic acid |
| 3 | L-Arginine | 32 | 1-Methyl-L-histidine | 61 | Homocitrulline | 90 | N-Acetylglutamine |
| 4 | L-Asparagine | 33 | 3-Methyl-L-histidine | 62 | Homoarginine | 91 | N-Acetylhistidine |
| 5 | L-Aspartic acid | 34 | 2-aminobutyric acid | 63 | Argininosuccinic acid | 92 | N-Acetylisoleucine |
| 6 | L-Cysteine | 35 | 2-Aminoisobutyric acid | 64 | Glycylproline | 93 | N-Acetylleucine |
| 7 | L-Cystine | 36 | 3-Aminobutyric acid | 65 | Glycyl-L-leucine | 94 | N-Acetylmethionine |
| 8 | L-Glutamic acid | 37 | 3-Aminoisobutyric acid | 66 | Carnosine | 95 | N-Acetylphenylalanine |
| 9 | L-Glutamine | 38 | Gamma-Aminobutyric acid | 67 | Anserine | 96 | N-Acetylproline |
| 10 | L-Histidine | 39 | 2,3-Diaminopropionic acid | 68 | Cystathionine | 97 | N-Acetyltryptophan |
| 11 | L-Isoleucine | 40 | 2-Aminoadipic acid | 69 | Glycyl-glycine | 98 | N-Acetyltyrosine |
| 12 | L-Leucine | 41 | 3-Chlorotyrosine | 70 | O-Acetylserine | 99 | N-Acetylvaline |
| 13 | L-Lysine | 42 | 2-Phenylglycine | 71 | Phenylacetylglutamine | 100 | N-Acetyllysine |
| 14 | L-Methionine | 43 | 3-Methylcrotonylglycine | 72 | Phenylacetylglycine | 101 | N-Acetylcitrulline |
| 15 | L-Ornithine | 44 | 3-Nitrotyrosine | 73 | Phosphoserine | 102 | N6-Acetyllysine |
| 16 | L-Phenylalanine | 45 | 4-Acetamidobutyric acid | 74 | S-Adenosylhomocysteine | 103 | Ureidopropionic acid |
| 17 | L-Proline | 46 | 4-Amino-3-hydroxybutyric acid | 75 | S-Adenosylmethionine | 104 | Ureidosuccinic acid |
| 18 | L-Serine | 47 | 4-Hydroxyphenylglycine | 76 | S-Carboxymethylcysteine | 105 | Cinnamoylglycine |
| 19 | L-Threonine | 48 | 4-Hydroxyproline | 77 | Methylcysteine | 106 | Formylglycine |
| 20 | L-Tryptophan | 49 | 5-Aminopentanoic acid | 78 | gamma-Glutamylalanine | 107 | Isobutyrylglycine |
| 21 | L-Tyrosine | 50 | 5-Hydroxytryptophan | 79 | gamma-Glutamylglutamine | 108 | Isovalerylglycine |
| 22 | L-Valine | 51 | 5-Hydroxylysine | 80 | N-Acetylaspartylglutamic acid | 109 | N-Phenylacetylphenylalanine |
| 23 | L-Norleucine | 52 | 6-Aminocaproic acid | 81 | Phenylalanylphenylalanine | 110 | Tiglylglycine |
| 24 | L-Norvaline | 53 | Asymmetric dimethylarginine | 82 | Dimethylglycine | 111 | Valylglycine |
| 25 | L-Pipecolic acid | 54 | Symmetric dimethylarginine | 83 | N-Acetylarginine | 112 | 3-Iodo-L-tyrosine |
| 26 | L-Kynurenine | 55 | Beta-Alanine | 84 | N2-Acetylornithine | 113 | 3,5-Diiodo-L-tyrosine |
| 27 | L-Allo-isoleucine | 56 | Pyroglutamic acid | 85 | Acetylglycine | 114 | Thyroxine |
| 28 | L-Homocysteine | 57 | Citrulline | 86 | N-Acetylalanine | ||
| 29 | L-Homocystine | 58 | Creatine | 87 | N-Acetylaspartic acid | ||
Amino Acids and Derivatives Analysis Workflow
Techniques Used in Amino Acid Targeted Metabolomics
Creative Proteomics employs a variety of high-end analytical tools to support amino acid studies:
Agilent UHPLC-MS/MS
Waters UPLC-AB Sciex MS/MS
Thermo Scientific Orbitrap MS
Agilent GC-MS
These technologies ensure maximum sensitivity, even in complex biological samples such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, or plant extracts.
Why Our Mass Spectrometry Platform Sets the Standard
At Creative Proteomics, our targeted metabolomics platform powered by advanced mass spectrometry doesn't just deliver high-quality data—it solves real-world research challenges.
Key Advantages
High Specificity: Accurately detects target amino acids with minimal background interference
Ultra Sensitivity: Captures low-abundance amino acid derivatives in complex samples
Data Consistency: Ensures reproducibility across replicates and batches through strict quality control
How We Overcome Common Analytical Hurdles
Many studies struggle with unstable metabolites, interfering sample matrices, or sensitivity limitations. Our platform addresses these pain points through:
Optimised Sample Handling: Minimises degradation of sensitive amino acid derivatives
Advanced Purification Workflows: Reduces background noise and matrix effects
Routine Instrument Calibration: Maintains consistent high-resolution performance
Multi-Omics Integration for Deeper Insights
We go beyond targeted metabolomics by offering multi-omics solutions that connect metabolic data with upstream biological events:
Proteomics + Metabolomics: Correlate amino acid levels with protein expression dynamics
Transcriptomics Integration: Reveal gene-level regulation of amino acid metabolism
Our integrated approach empowers researchers to understand not just what changes—but why those changes matter across biological systems.
Real-World Applications of Amino Acid Metabolomics
Amino acid targeted metabolomics is transforming research across a wide range of disciplines. By enabling precise analysis of amino acids and their bioactive derivatives, this approach provides deep insights into cellular function, metabolic regulation, and disease progression.
Biomedical & Clinical Research
Nutrition Science: Monitor metabolic responses to diet, supplements, or fasting protocols
Neuroscience: Track neurotransmitter precursors like tryptophan and tyrosine in mood and cognitive disorders
Diabetes Research: Use branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) as early biomarkers for insulin resistance
Oncology: Analyze glutamine, serine, and arginine metabolism in tumor growth and immune evasion
Cardiology: Study homocysteine and arginine levels in assessing cardiovascular disease risk
Preclinical and Translational Research
Biological Signature Profiling: Identify characteristic amino acid patterns associated with different physiological or metabolic states
Dynamic Response Assessment: Track shifts in amino acid levels under varying experimental or environmental conditions
Functional Mechanism Exploration: Investigate how fluctuations in amino acid concentrations influence broader biological processes and system behaviour
Broader Scientific & Industrial Applications
Natural Product & Drug Discovery: Identify bioactive amino acid derivatives from plants and microbes for pharmaceutical use
Food & Nutrition Science: Ensure amino acid content, safety, and functional claims in supplements and functional foods
Toxicology Studies: Examine how toxins affect amino acid pathways and metabolic health
Agricultural Research: Assess amino acid roles in crop stress resistance, livestock nutrition, and forest resilience
Environmental Studies: Use amino acid profiling in soil, water, and ecological assessments to track contamination or biogeochemical cycles
Sample Requirements
| Sample Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Animal and Clinical Tissue Samples | > 5-10 mg |
| Blood Samples (Serum, Plasma, Whole Blood) | > 10 μL |
| Urine Sample | > 10 μL |
| Fecal and Intestinal Contents | > 10 mg |
| Body Fluid Samples (Cerebrospinal Fluid, Saliva, etc.) | > 5-10 μL |
| Plant Tissue Samples (Roots, Stems, Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, etc.) | > 10 mg |
| Cells and Microorganisms | > 1 x 10^5 cells |
| Culture Medium and Fermentation Broth | > 10 μL |
FAQs About Amino Acid Targeted Metabolomics
What is targeted metabolomics, and how does it apply to amino acids?
It is the selective analysis of specific metabolites, like amino acids, using high-precision methods like MRM-MS. It enables better disease insights and biomarker identification.
What are the benefits of using mass spectrometry in amino acid analysis?
MS offers unmatched specificity and sensitivity for detecting amino acids in complex biological samples.
How do amino acids and their derivatives impact biological processes?
They regulate cell communication, neurotransmission, immune responses, and protein synthesis.
What are some common applications of amino acid targeted metabolomics?
Cancer research, cardiovascular risk profiling, nutrition, and metabolic disease studies.
What challenges are faced in analyzing amino acids and their derivatives?
Complexity of samples, need for advanced instruments, and maintaining metabolite stability.
Learn about other Q&A about proteomics technology.
Case Studies
Characterization of Dnajc12 Knock-Out Mice, a Model of Hypodopaminergia
- Background
- Methods
- Creative Proteomics’ Role
- Conclusion
Mutations in DNAJC12, a co-chaperone of aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, are linked to neurodevelopmental and movement disorders including infantile dystonia and dopamine-responsive parkinsonism. DNAJC12 plays a critical role in the stabilization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1)—key enzymes in dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis. To explore the functional implications of DNAJC12 deficiency, researchers generated a Dnajc12 knockout (DKO) mouse model to investigate its impact on dopaminergic signaling and behavior.
The study employed a multifaceted approach:
Genetic engineering to create a constitutive Dnajc12 knockout (V27Wfs*44) mouse model.
Behavioral assays (open field, grip strength, balance beam) to assess locomotor and exploratory function.
Molecular analyses, including Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation, to evaluate interactions between DNAJC12 and DA/5-HT biosynthetic enzymes.
Neurochemical assays, including fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and HPLC, to quantify DA and 5-HT in brain regions.
Targeted metabolomics of plasma samples to measure amino acids and related metabolites.
As part of the metabolomics workflow, Creative Proteomics conducted targeted analysis of free amino acids and related metabolites using UPLC-MRM/MS. This service enabled precise quantification of key metabolites from mouse plasma, including phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), and tryptophan (Trp). The results showed a marked increase in plasma Phe in DKO mice, aligning with the known co-chaperone role of DNAJC12 in stabilizing phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). Notably, other amino acids such as Tyr and Trp were unchanged, helping to localize the metabolic effect.
Elevated plasma phenylalanine in DKO mice
This comprehensive study provided new insights into how DNAJC12 dysfunction disrupts dopamine and serotonin biosynthesis, alters synaptic protein expression, and impairs behavior. Crucially, Creative Proteomics' targeted metabolomics service offered high-resolution biochemical data supporting the hypothesis that DNAJC12 loss leads to selective metabolic perturbations—specifically, hyperphenylalaninemia without systemic amino acid imbalance. These findings not only validate the murine DKO model for further study but also demonstrate the utility of amino acid profiling in neurological disease research.
Our Amino Acid Analysis Review
- Characterization of Dnajc12 knockout mice, a model of hypodopaminergia. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.06.602343.
- An interdisciplinary approach for developing novel methods to study silks. University of Oxford. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:7d8479a3-5004-4e6d-8cc9-a9a6199a0e37
- Water-soluble saponins accumulate in drought-stressed switchgrass and may inhibit yeast growth during bioethanol production. Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02213-y
Partner with Creative Proteomics for Expert Amino Acid Analysis
Whether you're conducting academic research or developing a new therapeutic, our Amino Acids and Derivatives Targeted Metabolomics Analysis Services provide the reliability, depth, and precision you need. With cutting-edge tools, a team of expert analysts, and customized service plans, Creative Proteomics is your ideal partner in amino acid metabolomics.
Get in touch today to learn how we can help accelerate your discoveries.
