Amino 45: What It Is, Composition, Benefits & How to Use in Agriculture

Amino 45 is a 45% total amino acid water-soluble powder used as an organic bio-fertilizer in agriculture to boost crop growth, improve stress resistance and enhance nutrient uptake. It is one of the most widely used grades of compound amino acid fertilizer worldwide, sitting in the middle of the typical 35% / 45% / 80% product range.

This guide explains what Amino 45 is made of, how it works inside the plant, where it gives the best return, and how to apply it on the major crop groups we serve (fruits, vegetables, tea, turf, and field crops). If you are sourcing amino acid powder for the first time, this is the single page you need to read.

What is Amino 45?

Amino 45 is a fine, light-yellow to brown powder containing 45% or more total free amino acids, plus organic nitrogen, small peptides and trace minerals derived from the source protein. The "45" refers to the guaranteed minimum amino acid content on a dry-weight basis; the remaining 55% is organic matter (peptides, polysaccharides), moisture (≤5%) and ash.

It is produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of protein-rich raw materials — most commonly plant proteins (soy, corn gluten) or animal proteins (duck feathers, fish, hide). The hydrolysis breaks long protein chains into short peptides and free L-amino acids that plants can absorb directly through leaves and roots.

Because the amino acids are already in free L-form, Amino 45 bypasses the slow mineralisation step that conventional NPK fertilisers require. The plant takes them up within hours, which is why the visible effect on growth, colour and stress recovery usually appears within 3–7 days of application.

Composition of Amino 45

The exact amino acid profile depends on the source protein. Below is the typical specification for an Amino Acids 45 grade produced from hydrolyzed duck feather protein (our reference product at Everwell Bio):

Typical amino acid spectrum (relative % of total amino acids):

How Amino 45 Works in the Plant

Unlike NPK fertilisers that supply mineral nutrients, Amino 45 supplies ready-to-use organic molecules that the plant uses for three distinct jobs:

1. Building block for proteins and enzymes. Free L-amino acids are absorbed directly and assembled into growth-related proteins, chlorophyll, auxins and defence enzymes, saving the plant 4–6 kcal of metabolic energy per gram of amino acid.
2. Chelating agent for micronutrients. Amino acids such as glycine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid bind Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu into organic complexes that pass through the leaf cuticle and root membrane far more efficiently than free ions.
3. Stress signalling molecule. Proline, glycine-betaine and arginine act as osmolytes and signalling molecules that help the plant maintain turgor under drought, salinity, frost and post-herbicide stress.

Benefits of Amino 45 in Agriculture

When applied at the right stage and rate, Amino 45 delivers the following benefits, all of which have been observed in the field across 20+ countries we export to:

• Stronger root system. Stimulates division of root meristem cells; secondary roots and root mass increase, improving uptake of water and nutrients.
• Boosted photosynthesis. Glycine increases chlorophyll content, raising photosynthetic rate and dry-matter accumulation.
• Faster recovery from stress. Reduces wilting under heat, recovers plants after transplant shock, frost, salinity or herbicide phytotoxicity.
• Better fruit quality. Increases fruit set, uniform size, Brix (sugar) and shelf life on grapes, citrus, tomatoes, peppers, melons and berries.
• Synergy with NPK. When tank-mixed with NPK or applied as a pre-soak, amino acids raise the apparent utilisation rate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by 20–40%.
• Soil health. Increases microbial biomass and cation exchange capacity; no salt build-up; safe to use in organic programs.

Application: How to Use Amino 45

Amino 45 is fully water-soluble and can be delivered through any of the three common application routes. The table below summarises typical rates; precise recommendations should be tuned to crop, growth stage and local conditions — we provide crop-specific guidance on request.

Compatibility. Amino 45 is compatible with most NPK solutions, micronutrients, humic acid, seaweed extract and most common pesticides. Do not tank-mix with strong alkaline products (pH > 8) or with copper fungicides at high concentration; jar-test before first use.

Which Crops Benefit Most from Amino 45

Almost all crops respond to Amino 45, but the strongest economic returns are seen on:

• Fruit trees — citrus, apple, grape, mango, avocado, banana (improves fruit set, size and Brix).
• Vegetables — tomato, pepper, cucumber, melon, leafy greens (uniform colour, earlier harvest, better shelf life).
• Cash crops — tea, coffee, tobacco, cotton (raises leaf quality, fibre length, sugar).
• Field crops — wheat, rice, corn, soybean (root development, drought resilience).
• Turf and ornamentals — golf greens, landscape grass, nursery stock (faster recovery after cut, deeper green).

Amino 35 vs 45 vs 80: How to Choose

The number on the bag is the minimum guaranteed total amino acid content. Higher grade = more active ingredient per kilogram, more organic nitrogen, more small peptides, and (usually) a higher price. Choose based on application method and crop value:

Packaging & Supply

Everwell Bio supplies Amino 45 in 20 kg kraft paper bags with PE inner liner (standard export packaging) or in 1 mt jumbo bags on request. Each shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) covering total amino acids, organic nitrogen, moisture, pH, solubility, heavy metals and microbial limits.

Our monthly capacity is 4,000 tons across the 35 / 45 / 80 grades, and we ship to 20+ countries — typically 15–25 days by sea from Shanghai or Qingdao.

Frequently Asked Questions about Amino 45

What is Amino 45?

Amino 45 is a water-soluble powder containing 45% total amino acids, used as an organic bio-fertilizer and plant biostimulant in agriculture. It is produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of plant or animal protein and is applied as a foliar spray, in drip irrigation, or directly to soil to boost crop growth, improve stress resistance and enhance nutrient uptake.

What is Amino 45 made from?

Amino 45 is typically made by hydrolyzing protein sources such as soy, animal hide, or duck feathers. At Everwell Bio, our Amino Acids 45 is produced from hydrolyzed duck feather protein, yielding a balanced spectrum of free amino acids including glycine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, leucine and lysine.

What is the difference between Amino 35, 45 and 80?

The number refers to the minimum percentage of total free amino acids in the powder: Amino 35 contains ≥35%, Amino 45 contains ≥45%, and Amino 80 contains ≥80%. Higher grades (45 and 80) deliver more active amino acid per kilogram, more organic nitrogen and a higher concentration of small peptides, making them more effective for foliar feeding, fertigation and stress recovery. Lower grades (35) are more economical for bulk soil application and base fertilization.

What is Amino 45 used for?

Amino 45 is used as an organic bio-fertilizer and plant biostimulant to: promote photosynthesis and chlorophyll content, help plants recover from drought, salinity, frost or herbicide stress, stimulate root development and nutrient uptake, improve fruit size, fruit set, sugar content (Brix) and shelf life, enhance the efficiency of NPK fertilizers when tank-mixed, and build soil organic matter and microbial activity.

How do you apply Amino 45?

Amino 45 is fully water-soluble and applied as a foliar spray at 1–3 g/L, via drip irrigation at 3–8 kg/ha per application, or as a soil drench at 5–15 kg/ha. It mixes readily with most NPK and micronutrient solutions. Apply during cool hours (early morning or late afternoon) for best uptake, and repeat every 10–14 days during the active growth stages of the crop.

Is Amino 45 safe for organic farming?

Yes. Amino 45 derived from hydrolyzed protein (such as duck feather) is permitted in most organic certification programs including EU 2018/848, OMRI and JAS, because it is a non-synthetic input produced by physical enzymatic hydrolysis. It leaves no chemical residue in soil or produce and is safe to use up to harvest.

Sources & Further Reading

• Amino 80 Explained: the high-concentration grade
• Hydrolyzed Protein Powder Explained: composition and uses
• What is compound amino acid powder?
• Advantages of Amino Acid 45 fertilisers
• Amino 35, 45, or 80: How to choose
• How to apply amino acid powder
• Benefits of amino acid powder as fertiliser
• Which crops benefit most
• Everwell Amino Acids 45 — product page