1. Role in Animal Nutrition
Essential Amino Acid: DL-Methionine is the first-limiting amino acid in poultry diets, crucial for feather growth, muscle development, and egg production.
Methyl Group Donor: It supplies methyl groups for synthesizing creatine, carnitine, and phospholipids, supporting energy metabolism and cellular function.
Antioxidant Precursor: Converts to cysteine and glutathione, enhancing oxidative stress resistance in livestock.
2. Applications in Human Health
Nutraceuticals: Used in supplements to support liver detoxification, joint health, and skin/hair quality.
Parenteral Nutrition: Included in IV formulations for patients unable to ingest protein orally.
Antioxidant Defense: Boosts glutathione levels, mitigating oxidative damage in chronic diseases.
3. Industrial and Agricultural Uses
Feed Additive: Improves feed efficiency and growth rates in poultry/swine; reduces nitrogen excretion.
Chelating Agent: Binds heavy metals in soil/water remediation.
Preservative: Inhibits mold growth in stored feed due to its sulfur content.
4. Pharmacological Benefits
Lipid Metabolism: Reduces hepatic fat accumulation and improves lipid profiles.
Wound Healing: Accelerates tissue repair via collagen synthesis.
5. Comparative Efficacy
Versus L-Methionine: DL-Methionine is 50% bioequivalent (only the L-form is utilized).
Versus Methionine Hydroxy Analog (MHA): More cost-effective with comparable bioavailability in gut absorption.