Amino acids are the constituent sub-units of proteins and represent an essential element of cell culture media. There are 8 essential amino acids in humans (Ileu, Leu, Lys, Meth, Phe, Treo, Trp, Val). As well as other amino acids whose synthesis capacity has been lost during the transition to in vitro such as Gln, Tyr, Cys, Arg and His.

Aspartic acid or Aspartate is an alpha amino acid whose abbreviation is Asp. Aspartic acid is one of the non-essential amino acids and has two forms or enantiomers: L-Aspartic acid and D-Aspartic acid. L-aspartic acid is the only enantiomer of aspartic acid to be used in protein synthesis.

Aspartic acid is involved in the synthesis of four essential amino acids in humans: methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and lysine. Methionine is used in metabolism; threonine is used in the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the immune system; isoleucine is used in energy regulation; lysine is used in muscle growth and renewal.