DL-Methionine Feed Grade · Essential Sulfur Amino Acid for Modern Animal Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: DL-2-amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (DL-methionine).
• Product type: DL-methionine feed grade in crystalline form, typically ≥ 99.0% on dry basis.
• Appearance: white to off-white crystalline granules or powder, usually free-flowing and low-dust depending on grade.
• Production: obtained via chemical synthesis followed by purification and crystallisation, meeting feed-grade specifications for purity, by-products and undesirable substances.
• Solubility: slightly soluble in water; disperses well in feed premixes and complete feeds and is suitable for solid inclusion and some liquid systems after validation.
• Nutritional function: essential sulfur amino acid involved in:
  • Protein synthesis and muscle deposition,
  • Feather and hair growth due to high sulfur content,
  • Methyl group metabolism via S-adenosylmethionine pathways,
  • Overall growth, feed efficiency and carcass quality.
• Environmental & economic benefits:
  • Supports reduced crude protein diets, lowering nitrogen excretion and ammonia emissions,
  • Improves cost efficiency by reducing dependence on high-protein raw materials.
• Regulatory status:
  • Classified as a nutritional feed additive (amino acid),
  • Registration, species authorisations, usage conditions and labelling requirements are specific to each region and country.

Atlas supports feed formulators and integrators in using DL-methionine as part of amino acid–balanced, low-protein diet strategies, tailored to local raw material availability, regulations and performance targets.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed with each supplier and customer. Typical DL-methionine feed grade parameters include:

• Assay (DL-methionine): typically ≥ 99.0% on dry basis.
• Loss on drying: controlled (e.g. ≤ 0.5%) to ensure assay stability and flow properties.
• Residue on ignition / ash: limited in line with high-purity feed amino acids.
• pH (in solution): within an agreed range, relevant for specific liquid applications.
• Heavy metals & undesirable substances: restricted to meet EU and global feed additive regulations.
• By-products & related substances: controlled according to strict internal and regulatory criteria.
• Microbiological profile: generally very low counts, with pathogens such as Salmonella absent in defined sample sizes.
• Particle size distribution: optimised for premix uniformity, micro-dosing and low segregation risk.
• Bulk density & flowability: designed for automatic dosing systems, silo storage and pneumatic transport where applicable.

Each lot is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergens, animal-origin statements, contaminants & heavy metals, dioxins/PCBs, mycotoxins, safety data sheet (SDS), quality certifications, Halal/Kosher certificates, etc.) can be provided based on destination markets and customer requirements.

Poultry nutrition

• Broiler starter, grower & finisher feeds – DL-methionine helps maintain rapid growth, good FCR and breast meat yield when crude protein is reduced.
• Layer & breeder diets – supports egg production, egg mass, eggshell quality and feathering, while enabling lower crude protein diets.
• Türkiye & other poultry species – optimises methionine + cystine supply for higher growth potential and improved feather coverage and robustness.

Swine nutrition

• Piglet & nursery feeds – DL-methionine contributes to balanced amino acid profiles in early-life diets where gut health and growth are critical.
• Grower–finisher pigs – used with other amino acids (lysine, threonine, tryptophan, valine) to fine-tune digestible AA ratios and support lean gain and FCR.
• Sow diets – supports milk production, body condition and reproductive performance in gestation and lactation diets.

Aquaculture & pet food

• Aquafeed (fish & shrimp) – DL-methionine is essential for marine and freshwater species, especially as fishmeal content is reduced and plant proteins increase.
• Pet food (dogs & cats) – used in complete and complementary pet foods where amino acid profiles must meet AAFCO/FEDIAF-type guidelines and brand performance expectations.

Ruminants & specialty species

• Dairy & beef cattle – DL-methionine can be used as part of rumen-protected methionine solutions to optimise amino acid supply at the intestinal level, supporting milk yield, milk components and carcass quality.
• Other species – such as ducks, rabbits and specialty livestock, where balanced sulfur amino acid supply supports performance and product quality.

Formulation & handling guidance

• Inclusion form:
  • Commonly used via vitamin/mineral premixes, protein concentrates or direct dosing at the feed mill,
  • Can be integrated into liquid application systems where compatibility and stability are confirmed.
• Formulation basis:
  • Diets should be designed on a digestible (SID) amino acid basis,
  • Methionine + cystine requirements are typically expressed relative to digestible lysine, with species- and phase-specific ratios.
• Crude protein reduction:
  • Alongside lysine, threonine, tryptophan and valine, DL-methionine allows CP reduction while maintaining or improving performance,
  • This supports lower nitrogen and sulfur excretion and helps address environmental and regulatory pressures.
• Mixing & homogeneity:
  • Use sequential mixing and appropriate carriers in premix production to ensure even distribution,
  • Consider particle size compatibility with other ingredients to minimise segregation and dusting.
• Regulatory & safety:
  • Users must comply with local feed additive registrations, species approvals and labelling requirements.
  • Standard industrial hygiene measures (dust control, PPE, local exhaust) are recommended when handling fine powders or granules.

Quality & certifications

• Supplied as feed-grade DL-methionine with agreed specifications covering assay, impurities, undesirable substances, microbiology and physical parameters.
• Manufacturing facilities typically operate under recognised quality and feed safety schemes (e.g. ISO, HACCP and dedicated feed safety certifications), with supporting documentation available on request.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA); extended documentation sets can include technical data sheets, safety data sheets (SDS), contaminants & heavy metals, dioxins/PCBs, mycotoxins and other tests aligned with EU and global feed regulations.
• Additional documents (e.g. GMO status, allergen declarations, BSE/TSE statements, animal-origin declarations, country of origin, Halal/Kosher certificates) can be provided for customer audits and regulatory submissions.
• Customers remain responsible for compliance with local feed and feed additive legislation, including species authorisations, usage levels, labelling and any performance or sustainability claims.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 25 kg multi-wall paper bags or composite bags with inner liners. Other options such as big bags may be evaluated for high-volume users.
• Suitable for full-container loads or mixed containers together with other amino acids, vitamins, minerals and feed additives from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture, excessive heat and odour-intensive materials to maintain assay, flow and handling properties.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the product specification and COA; customers should validate storage practices, stock rotation and in-feed stability across their supply chain.
• Shipments can be organised under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored proposal, please share your key species and production systems (broilers, layers, Türkiyes, pigs, dairy/beef, fish/shrimp, pets, etc.), diet concepts (standard or low-protein), target methionine + cystine levels, inclusion approach (premix, concentrate, direct), annual volume, packaging preferences, certification/documentation requirements (feed safety schemes, Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable DL-methionine feed grade options and related amino acid solutions to support your formulations.