Asparagine dosage

Asparagine is a non-essential amino acid naturally present in many plants, such as cereals, legumes, tubers, fruits, and vegetables. Its quantification is of particular importance in several fields: human nutrition, nutraceuticals, animal feed, and plant research. Beyond its physiological role, asparagine is closely linked to the issue of acrylamide formation, an undesirable compound generated during certain thermal processes such as cooking, roasting, or frying. Controlling its dosage is therefore a nutritional, regulatory, and industrial challenge.

Principles and techniques of analysis

Asparagine analysis relies on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques, after derivatization to improve detection and quantification. HPLC is a robust and widely used method for routinely separating and quantifying asparagine in various extracts. LC-MS is more sensitive and specific, particularly well-suited to complex matrices and analyses requiring a very low limit of detection. These analytical approaches are recognized for the reliable characterization of free amino acids in foods and plant extracts. To learn more about this technique, please see our dedicated page on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Technical Specifications
Target Molecule: Asparagine
CAS No.: 70-47-3
Methods: HPLC, LC-MS after derivatization
Types of Analysis: Physicochemical and nutritional
Analyzable Matrices: Plant extracts, foodstuffs, flours, food supplements, raw materials from the food industry or animal nutrition

Applications by sector

Human food:
Asparagine analysis is used to monitor levels in cereal products, potatoes, biscuits, bread, and other processed foods. It allows for the monitoring of potential acrylamide , in accordance with European recommendations (EU Regulation 2017/2158 establishing mitigation measures and reference values). This analysis thus contributes to the prevention of newly formed compounds and can be combined with the direct acrylamide analysis offered in our catalog.

Nutraceuticals:
In the field of dietary supplements, asparagine quantification allows for verification of the quality and nutritional value of amino acid-rich formulations. It supports the development of functional products with an optimized amino acid profile that meet consumer expectations for health and nutrition. You can also consult our analytical services for other amino acids such as glutamine , free theanine , and tryptamine .

Animal nutrition:
Analyzing asparagine in raw materials such as cereals, oilseed cakes, or flours allows for a better assessment of the nutritional quality of animal feed and contributes to the optimization of formulations for livestock. This service complements our animal nutrition analyses, particularly near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy applied to forages and compound feeds.

Plants and Agronomic Research
: In plant research, asparagine analysis is used to study amino acid metabolism in different species. It allows researchers to monitor the impact of growing conditions such as water stress, nitrogen application, and soil quality on asparagine content, with direct applications in varietal selection and agronomic improvement. This service can be combined with other plant metabolic profiling analyses available in our catalog.

Industrial and regulatory challenges

Asparagine measurement addresses two key issues. From a nutritional standpoint, it allows for the characterization of the amino acid profile and guarantees the nutritional value of products. From a safety and compliance perspective, it contributes to managing the risks associated with the formation of acrylamide, classified as a probable human carcinogen (IARC, Group 2A), and to ensuring adherence to the standards and reference values ​​set by the European Union. Food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating this parameter into their HACCP procedures, quality audits, and compliance requirements.

YesWeLab expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of rigorously selected laboratories, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and/or COFRAC accredited, to guarantee reliable results that comply with regulatory standards. Our partner laboratories are chosen based on the matrices to be analyzed and the appropriate analytical methods. We offer a centralized solution via our digital platform, which simplifies analysis management from ordering to sample tracking and results receipt. Since 2020, numerous manufacturers, distributors, and engineering firms have entrusted us with their samples for nutritional and physicochemical analyses.