Amino acid

[Cory]

I want to dose D-aspartic acid. Would it be available to corals? Im confused if L-aspartic acid is better than the D form?

 

[Dan_P]

I want to dose D-aspartic acid. Would it be available to corals? Im confused if L-aspartic acid is better than the D form?

Why do you want to dose D-aspartic acid? The “L” version of amino acids is what organisms are capable of consuming.

 

[Cory]

Why do you want to dose D-aspartic acid? The “L” version of amino acids is what organisms are capable of consuming.

Look at vibrant:
Ingredients
95% Cultured Bacteria Blend
1% Amino Acids (Aspartic Acid)
0.5% Vinegar
3.5% RO/DI Water

I want to see if it removes algae. So this stuff i got wont work?

 

[Dan_P]

Look at vibrant:
Ingredients
95% Cultured Bacteria Blend
1% Amino Acids (Aspartic Acid)
0.5% Vinegar
3.5% RO/DI Water

I want to see if it removes algae. So this stuff i got wont work?

I suspect the aspartic acid in Vibrant is the L version, the type that is used in protein synthesis. I have no idea whether the D version would negatively effect algae. Here is the result of a quick search Just now.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/87f9/7f6be4d2cf0ad8cc22a0647fba766b3e4edf.pdf

 

[Cory]

Im not sure why it would make a difference but im not a cell lol

This was a really good thread, includes randy and habib the owner of salifert:

Aspartic Acid in the aquarium - Reef Central Online Community

Aspartic Acid in the aquarium The Reef Chemistry Forum

www.reefcentral.com

 

[Smarkow]

Im not sure why it would make a difference but im not a cell lol

This was a really good thread, includes randy and habib the owner of salifert:

Aspartic Acid in the aquarium - Reef Central Online Community

Aspartic Acid in the aquarium The Reef Chemistry Forum

www.reefcentral.com

There are two relevant chemistry analogies here:

First, amino acids build proteins, where protein shape/structure is irrevocably linked to function. Proteins are cell machinery. The analogy here is that (for enzyme proteins) the right key only fits in the right lock, due to their detailed and unique shapes. Shape/structure and function are critical for the key to unlock the lock.

Second, L vs D amino acids are different shaped, ergo different building blocks. The difference is that between a right and left handed glove or right vs left shoe. While similar, one would argue that the left shoe really only works right on the left foot. For more building analogies think about left and right handed door handles, left vs right car doors, left vs right handed scissors, etc.

Billions of years ago, nature decided that they would (mostly) use L versions of amino acids. I am not sure if there is a biochemical reason for this... or at least I don’t know what it is.

Final parting thought - the pharmaceuticals we take are (usually) not amino acids. Many of these also have a “handedness” similar to the L vs D issue. Chemically we call these “enantiomers.” It is not unusual for only one enantiomer to be chemically active in the body. Your albuterol asthma inhaler, your zyrtec or claritin allergy pill, your prilosec vs nexium antacid, and so on...

Chemistry. Lol. Apologies if I’ve over simplified or used any of this slightly off :/

 

[UWC]

Look at vibrant:
Ingredients
95% Cultured Bacteria Blend
1% Amino Acids (Aspartic Acid)
0.5% Vinegar
3.5% RO/DI Water

I want to see if it removes algae. So this stuff i got wont work?

The Aspartic in Vibrant is part of the preservative. Aspartic will definitely not rid algae, but can certainly increase it

 

[Cory]

The Aspartic in Vibrant is part of the preservative. Aspartic will definitely not rid algae, but can certainly increase it

Im fine if it doesnt do that. Id actually like to see how it effects coral growth since aspartic acid serves as one of many glues in skeletogenisis apparently linked in that thread.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Im fine if it doesnt do that. Id actually like to see how it effects coral growth since aspartic acid serves as one of many glues in skeletogenisis apparently linked in that thread.

Only the L form will have that potential benefit.

 

[Cory]

Only the L form will have that potential benefit.

Okay thanks. Ill have to look for that too lol. Any idea what the d form might accomplish?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Okay thanks. Ill have to look for that too lol. Any idea what the d form might accomplish?

Likely nothing except possibly bacterial consumption (carbon dosing) if there are species present that can eat it.

it might slow abiotic precipitation of calcium carbonate by binding to the crystal surfaces, like phosphate and magnesium do

 

[Cory]

Here is a graph, which is kind of interesting

 

[Cory]

Would this be okay for L-aspartic acid?

 

[Cory]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, as long as you don’t push potassium too high

 

[Cory]

Yes, as long as you don’t push potassium too high

How much do you figure its adding?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

From the label, which I can’t fully see, it looks like about 1/5th as much potassium as aspartate. So 5 ppm aspartame adds 1 ppm potassium . That’s no concern for a few doses but might accumulate if you add a lot every day.

 

[Cory]

From the label, which I can’t fully see, it looks like about 1/5th as much potassium as aspartame. So 5 ppm aspartame adds 1 ppm calcium. That’s no concern for a few doses but might accumulate if you add a lot every day.

Lol im confused aspartame and calcium arent ingredients on the bottle. The other side is in French so I didint include it.

 

[Cory]

Magnesium Potassium Aspartates | Reduce Fatigue | AOR Inc.

AOR's Magnesium Potassium Aspartates. Reduces fatigue and increases energy. Improves sports performance. Gluten Free. Non-GMO. Vegan.

aor.ca

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The phone switched aspartate to aspartame. I mean aspartate. Not calcium, but potassium.