FAQ

To achieve this goal, which took more than ten years, INAGROSA researchers had to rely on the progress of biotechnological tools available at that time: solid state chemical and chromatographic techniques among others, as well as the way to control a complex sequence of synthesis and hydrolysis processes, in order to follow up in the laboratory, in a framework of replication under strict controls and copy accuracy as it is carried out inside the cell membrane, that is, one of the most complex manufacturing processes in Nature.
Later, since the mid-1990s and the first decade of the current century, new advances in biotechnology and the rapid development of computer technology (hardware and software) have made it possible to improve the process summarized above and the know-how from INAGROSA.

L-amino acids and oligopeptides, obtained through this process, are used in medicine as active material, under the generic code ETF (Extracellular Transcription Factors), and especially in degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, in animals and humans as a complementary nutritional food, in cosmetics, in fermentative processes, in microbiology as bioactivators in culture media and in many other applications or derived processes, all of them with the mark of non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

INAGROSA initiated the application of these nutrients in agriculture in the late 1980s, with all the profits obtained going to fund medical and pharmaceutical research.

For application in agriculture, INAGROSA developed a complementary technology:

the binding of N, P, K ions and microelements (macro and micro plant nutrients) to the amino acid and oligopeptide chain, on the basis that amino acids are excellent carriers and that amino acids obtained in the process of INAGROSA The nutrients are delivered easily and quickly to the cells, crossing the cell membranes and the nuclear membrane, allowing with this technology to supply the nutrients required by the plants through a form of natural origin and with more effectiveness than the standard process of chemical fertilization.

In the process of INAGROSA no microorganism is used at all to obtain L-amino acids and the raw material used are the chemical elements that make up the amino acid formula: C, N, O, H, S … extracted from purified organic compounds as they are used by cells for their biosynthesis process.

Its composition for agricultural applications is essentially made by L-amino acids and oligopeptides in an adapted aminogram profile for different crops, joining to its chains, in a variable percentage, of the elements N, P, K and microelements, according to the nutritional needs of development required in the different phenological stages of plants: seed germination, sprouting, root development, growth, flowering, ripening and to overcome specific stress situations.

The mechanism of action of these plant nutritional products, as well as the rest of the products manufactured by INAGROSAand its associated companies, with the same active material for pharmaceutical uses, application to nutrition in humans and animals, etc., is essentially based on the “cell-to-cell communication process”, as discovered and described by three groups of Nobel Prize winners in the 1990s (E. Fischer, phosphorylation-biological regulation; Alfred Gilman: discoverer of the G protein; Martin Rodbell: discoverer of the biological process in cells in a manner similar to that of the “receiver-transducer-amplifier” computer technology; Günter Blobel and others).

In the process of copying the biosynthesis via the cellular route of INAGROSAIn this way, several oligopeptides are obtained with exactly the same characteristics as those synthesized by the cells, which play a fundamental role as “Transcription Factor of the information contained in the DNA to the RNA”. These characteristics are: molecular weight less than 1 KD; structural formula in the form of an alpha-helix, negatively charged amino acids aligned on the outer side of the helix, the number of amino acids is three, and always with the same sequence.

This fact allows the active material of INAGROSA (coded as FACE for pharmaceutical uses, NOMAR 148 y NOMAR 200 for agriculture, ALEC for cosmetics, etc…) to detect cell signals coming from the cellular machinery, especially in the nucleus (DNA, RNA), i.e. from the genome, and to act according to the content of the signal: warning of low level of macro (N, P, K, Ca) in plant nutrition or of micronutrients (Fe, Mg, Mn, etc…) required at that phenological stage, stress signals when the plant is suffering from increasing inhibition effect produced by a wide range of biotic stress factors (pests, pests, or abiotic stress factors (drought, phytophthora, etc…)….) required at that phenological stage, stress signals when the plant is suffering from the increasing inhibition effect produced by the wide range of biotic (pests), or abiotic (drought, phytotoxicity, frost, soil or groundwater contamination, etc …) stress factors. For this purpose, i.e. to overcome the stress and reduce the mixture with pesticides to reduce the damage to the environment, INAGROSA has developed the biostimulator AMINOL-FORTElaunched on the market in 1986.

The knowledge of communication processes between cells has been completed, in the first years of this century by researchers, with the new findings of the function associated with the G protein: GPCR (G protein – G protein-coupled receptors) are cell membrane proteins that transmit the extracellular signal by linking an intracellular signal with the activation of the protein, which in turn, activates several key cellular pathways.

The GPCR represent the largest family, especially in the human genome and play a vital role in most biochemical and physiological processes and from cell to cell communication. Today it is the most important target in drug discovery (cardiovascular, cancer, metabolic disorders, etc …).

The influence and effects of the GPCR process have also been tested in the laboratory and studied with the active matter FACE y NOMARwith regard to the preparation of new applications in medicine and agriculture.

Due to its components:

a) The active material, as explained in A.2 and A.3, is obtained in a natural way, i.e. as it occurs in nature.
b) The rest of the N.P.K components or microelements when they are incorporated in the formulation, after strict purification following GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) norms.

The raw material from which these components are taken is subjected to different chemical processes of purification and ionization to transfer the N.P.K ions with the microelements until they are placed at the site where their union with the amino acid chains is verified, forming an organic polymer in a natural way that matches the natural requirements of the plant cells and tissues, without damaging the soils and aquifers, nor harming the micro flora and micro fauna.

In toxicology tests carried out between 1990 and 1993 in the United Kingdom, France and Spain, the active material was classified as “non-toxic active material with very low level of side effects”. The value of the lethal dose, LD 50 (death of 50% of the aminals in the test) allowed considering this active material as non-toxic material, since no animal deaths occurred: rats, beagle dogs, rabbits, etc., The maximum dose physically injectable in the body of 300 g Wilstar rats used in the test was estimated to be DL50> 4000 mg / kg / day. In other animals in the test: rabbits, beagle dogs, etc., the injected dose continued to be increased without causing the death of any animal.

As for the application in agriculture, in experimental trials carried out between 1987 and 1989 by Professor Huffaker and his team at the University of California, Davis, USA, monitoring its special phytotoxicity and environmental damage tests, increased the standard dose of AMINOL-FORTE 1 liter / ha, up to 1000 times higher doses, i.e. the equivalent of 1000 liters / ha without producing symptoms of damage to wheat, rye and other vegetables, nor in soil microorganisms or in the microflora of groundwater.

On the contrary, these INAGROSA products are very often applied for the restoration of damage to the environment and ecosystems damaged by pesticides, herbicides or any kind of toxic substances including residues of explosives such as TNT.

Because, as explained in A.2 and A.3, the active material works according to its mechanism of action based on the “cell-to-cell communication process”, i.e. it works by fulfilling the specific characteristics in each phenological stage of the plants, giving the exact response to the nutritional needs of the plants at that stage, or the stimulation of RNA and RNA-polymerase synthesis to overcome any stress effect (AMINOL-FORTE).

The remaining three formulations were designed at the end of 1980 by INAGROSA’s plant physiology specialists in collaboration with researchers from the Polytechnic University of Madrid on the basis of the above, as follows:

FOSNUTREN: Specific amino acid L-profile + oligopeptides + phosphorus in higher content than the rest. Its application (spraying) is used to improve the root system or to overcome the stress stage of transplanting, pre-flowering and flowering.

KADOSTIM: Specific profile of L-amino acid + oligopeptides + potassium in higher content than the rest. Its application is oriented to the growth and maturation of the fruit. Increasing sugar, oil, starch, protein content, overcoming adverse conditions of fruit storage and resistance to transport or post-harvest protection.

HUMIFORTE: Nutrient complex developed with the special use of a proprietary and specific technology to achieve maximum efficiency with biologically active free amino acids obtained as explained, low molecular weight oligopeptides immediately absorbed through the leaves or roots. It also provides the plant with N, P, K , humic and fulvic acids together with biologically active free amino acids, with results observed, in some cases, spectacular. Its specific and complete matrix of nutritional effects was oriented from its initial design to commercial crops, greenhouses, etc., of high value in the market and that the grower is interested in shortening or delaying its vegetative cycle to make the harvest coincide with periods in which a better price can be obtained in the market due to high demand and little competition by offering them “out of season”.

Recent GPCR findings have provided insight into why and how the active material of these biofertilizers rapidly cross cell membranes, reaching the genome in the cell nucleus in less than three hours, when crop conditions are normal without intense stress, from the time the biofertilizer/biostimulant is sprayed on the leaves of a crop.

However, when a strong phytotoxicity is affecting the crop, the action time of the biofertilizer/bio-stimulant is much faster. (In 2013 and 2014 using in trials in Spain and Argentina with state-of-the-art drones and by the analysis of hyperspectral images, it has been observed that in cases of strong stress the action time is less than 30 minutes).

In 1990, a laboratory test was conducted at INAGROSA, using an atypical combination of herbicides capable of killing the plant in less than 24 hours. In this experimental test, a reduced dose of AMINOL-FORTE (0.25% or the equivalent of 0.25 liters/ha) was sprayed on the plant and was sufficient to detect, in less than one hour, the strong signal produced by the damaged crop genome, and stimulating the RNA polymerase to synthesize the hormonal proteins that allowed saving the plant from a total tissue necrosis and avoiding its certain death.

In the early 1990s, it was discovered that it took six/seven hours for the active material of AMINOL-FORTE sprayed on the leaves of crops, which were not subjected to any intense stress, to have an effect on the physiological and metabolic processes of the crops. This experiment was carried out at a Research Institute of Plant Metabolism, Sarajevo (former Yugoslavia), specialized in the use, marking and monitoring of transaminase synthesis.

If the temperature does not drop below 15ºC to 20ºC, below zero, they are not affected.

Only NATURCARE is affected from -5ºC, but only in the subsequent delay in the activation of the strains of microorganisms it contains. From -15ºC, it will lose more than 50% of its effectiveness. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply this product in times of heavy frost.

In tests carried out at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB)-Madrid, in the 1990s, samples of each of INAGROSA’s plant nutrients and biofertilizers were subjected in cold chambers to extremely low temperatures, with stepwise decreases and their status studied in HPLC and MS Chromatographs for each temperature step, from 0ºC to minus 50ºC.

• Between 0ºC and -15ºC, no change was observed at -15ºC, nor when recovering room temperature.
• Between -15ºC and -25ºC, no changes were observed either at -25ºC or upon recovery of room temperature.
• Between -25ºC and -50ºC, a delay of more than 24 hours was observed in recovering the biological activity of the amino acids after reaching room temperature. At -50ºC, they showed no biological activity.

The volume of water quantity to apply by spraying the NATURCARE product to the soil, depends on the soil humidity at the moment of application and if there is a crop or if it is a pre-sowing application. In this case it can be done with a volume from 250 to 500 liters of water/ha.

The volume of 1,000 L is recommended when the crop is already established. The objective of the product is to reach the soil in the maximum amount possible. A crop with a large volume of biomass (branches, leaves, etc.) will prevent everything from reaching the soil, so a larger volume of water should be used.

The process is explained on the label and in the brochures. First the two components of the kit are mixed. They are kept for 24 hours at room temperature and then diluted in 250, 500 or 1,000 L of water for application.

The standard dose is between 0.5 and 1.25 liters / ha, when sprayed on the leaves of plants in a crop that does not suffer significant stress effects.

In the case of AMINOL-FORTEwhen used to overcome severe stress or to save a plant affected by lethal toxicity, the dose is reduced to 0.25 liters/ha, applied daily for three or four days, and when the plant is not under stress, the frequency is two or three applications every 15-20 days.

In the case of HUMIFORTEWhen applied to the soil through drip irrigation or any other irrigation system, the dose is 2.5 to 3.0 L / Ha. The period between doses is 20-25 days.
In certain soils, with very high salinity indexes, it is possible to eliminate the effects of this salinity on the plants with the protocols, in which the following are incorporated NATURCARE to the soil 2 kits/ha, plus FOSNUTREN at 2 L/ha and HUMIFORTE at 2 L/ha by spraying and the frequency of applications every 15-20 days.

The low doses are due to what has already been explained in A.2. and A.3.

The mechanism of action of the active material acts in a very effective way through its rapid and complete penetration into the cell, reaching the neuralgic point of the cellular machinery on the basis of Rodbell’s transduction process. A very small amount of this active material can amplify up to a thousand times its effect on the metabolic process of the cells in the plant, especially on energy saving measured in ATP units.

According to the toxicological tests and field trials carried out, no evidence or symptoms of damage have been found when doses are raised well above the recommended doses (generally due to carelessness or misapplication).

As indicated in A.3, experimental special toxicity tests carried out between 1987 and 1989 by Professor Huffaker and his team at the Plant Growth Laboratory, University of California, Davis, spraying AMINOL-FORTE at doses 1,000 times the standard on wheat and barley, and observing the effect with an electron microscope in a nitrogen chamber at -150°C , at the submolecular level, no damage to leaf, stem or grain tissue was observed.

When spraying, in such high doses (1,000 times higher) of AMINOL-FORTE was done at the early stage of the plant (four leaves), a high concentration of ATP was observed in the lower part of the stem. Plant growth was blocked but necrosis was not observed, remaining green in the same situation for more than six months without fertilizer feeding or irrigation.

When the bottle remains sealed and stored at room temperature between 0ºC and 40ºC, and kept out of direct sunlight, its durability, without loss of efficacy, has been proven to reach a maximum of 6-7 years.

If the bottle is permanently stored at temperatures above 30ºC and sunlight is directed directly to the bottle, its shelf life will be reduced to 1-2 years, due to a faster degradation rate of the amino acids.

If the bottle is opened and the liquid is not applied immediately, the active material will lose its activity in a few weeks or days, and there is a high probability of bacteriological contamination of the liquid.

NO, NOT AT ALL.

Accidental release or spill measures: There are no requirements for the ventilation area of the leak or spill. Without wearing personal protective equipment there is no requirement to neutralize the liquid. The product is environmentally friendly.

Handling and storage: No special measures are required for handling and storage. It is recommended to store in a cool, dry and ventilated place, away from heat sources and direct sunlight to avoid any degrading effect of the substance. Freezing down to -20°C does not affect the activity of the substances.

See MSDS and MSDS of the products.

The comparison is made only in terms of cost in dollars / hectare and nutrition effectiveness (crop yield weight) in the crops, in which the trial treatments were carried out:

I) In terms of nutritional efficiency…:

II) In terms of cost/ha (prices updated in July 2009):

Even with the advantages of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers, it does not mean that the latter have to be substituted 100%, as it depends on many factors in each case: the soil situation, percentage of NPK absorbed by the crop, etc. …

The most common procedure for farmers who use biofertilizers frequently or continuously every season is to reduce chemical fertilizers by up to 60% under certain special conditions or to replace them when their price increases disproportionately, as has been the case throughout 2008 and 2009.

Yes, they are fully compatible and can be mixed with all agrochemicals, pesticides and herbicides, reducing the dosage of the latter from 10 to 12% in insecticides, and up to 50% in herbicides, under certain conditions.
When using copper compounds used as fungicides, it is mandatory to reduce the dosage up to 60%, 70%, applying only 30% to 40% of the standard dosage of the copper compound, due to the higher copper penetration carried out by the amino acids and their high effectiveness in killing the fungus.

In addition, high doses of copper compounds (oxychloride, etc.) mixed with the biofertilizers from INAGROSA biofertilizers will not only kill the fungus but will also induce phytotoxicity in the plant and alterations in the harvest, as occurs when it is applied repeatedly in August to the vine, proving that the wine loses quality, as we have observed in tests carried out in France.

NO.

They can be applied (sprayed) using standard devices or equipment commonly used by farmers, as follows:

There is no other nutritional product on the market that uses the same active ingredient, since the process used by INAGROSA to obtain L-amino acids (AA) and short molecular weight oligopeptides, biologically active and stable with commercial handling in containers, is unique.

Biofertilizers are sold in Europe, the U.S. and Australia under different brand names by a European manufacturer to whom the following are available INAGROSA has granted a license to manufacture and supply the active material, which is used by this manufacturer to formulate its products.

There are many organic plant nutrients on the market: such as hydrolyzed proteins or similar. See on the website of INAGROSAcomparative table.

Some of them are quite effective, but only in terms of providing organic nitrogen to plants, obtained through a process of acid hydrolysis or enzymatic hydrolysis, in which a variable and low percentage of free but not biologically active amino acids and a high percentage of high molecular weight peptides are obtained, so they cannot enter through the stomata.

Other hydrolyzed protein products, manufactured in China, India, Spain and other countries, through a very low cost process of acid hydrolysis on slaughterhouse waste and others, obtain a black liquid, of bad odor, registered as “nutrient containing amino acids”, of poor quality and very low selling price and high doses per hectare, with a high percentage of heavy metals. The EU has been announcing that strict controls will be established on their heavy metal content, repeatedly lowering the maximum permitted content of heavy metals, which is impossible to comply with by many of the manufacturers selling these plant nutrient formulations in several European markets.

The biofertilizers of INAGROSA contain practically no heavy metals, due to the nature of the process followed to obtain them, since their average value is about 30,000 times lower than the maximum allowed by legislation in Spain and the EU.
The production of amino acids through the fermentation process, using specific strains of Brevibacterium, Corinobacterium and others obtained by genetic engineering to increase the production of amino acids, which are released into the culture medium, from which they have to be extracted using complex techniques that do not avoid the separation of impurities and D-amino acids. This process has a long tradition with a high level of technology and know-how in Japan. In recent decades, several major corporations in Japan have been producing large quantities of amino acids mainly for livestock feed and using genetically engineered microorganisms (GMOs) to increase amino acid production.