Amino Up

Amino Up is a Japanese company that researches, develops and manufactures functional food ingredients derived from natural plant and fungal materials, as well as biostimulant plant vitality materials. Its product line includes AHCC®, Oligonol®, ETAS®, perilla extract, GCP®, Dr. Amino Up and Kinokopoko™. The company states that its products reach more than 40 countries and regions, and that it conducts joint research and clinical trials with universities and medical institutions worldwide.

The company's history traces back to 1977, when the Hokkaido Feed Research Institute was established as a sole proprietorship. In 1981 a plant-active substance named "Amino Up" was developed. In 1984 Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd. was established. In 1989 the basidiomycete culture extract AHCC® was developed and launched, followed in 1991 by the anti-allergy substance perilla extract. In 1996 the company built and relocated to new offices, a research institute and a factory in Sapporo Hi-Tech Hill Mae. In 1998 the buckwheat-derived antioxidant PMP® was developed and launched (later discontinued). In 2000 the genistein-rich soybean-derived extract GCP® was developed and launched. In 2002 the company obtained ISO 9002 and HACCP-9000 certification, and in 2003 ISO 9001 certification. In 2005 it established a endowed course at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine and an Amino Up Chemical education and research fund at the University of California, Davis. In 2006 the lychee-derived low-molecular-weight polyphenol Oligonol® was developed and launched. In 2007 it obtained ISO 22000 certification and recognition as a health supplement GMP-compliant manufacturing facility. In 2011 the new AHCC building and eco-house building were completed. In 2012 the enzyme-treated asparagus extract ETAS® was developed. In 2013 AHCC® products were certified under Hokkaido's food functionality labeling system (Healthy Do). In 2014 Oligonol® obtained US GRAS status, and in 2015 ETAS® obtained US Self-affirmed GRAS status and Oligonol® products were accepted as food with function claims by the Consumer Affairs Agency. In 2018 the company changed its name from Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd. to Amino Up Co., Ltd. In 2023 the agricultural material Kinokopoko was developed and launched.

A manufacturer of functional food ingredients and biostimulant materials that explores the power of nature through plants, aiming for human and planetary health.

• AHCC®

  Cultured extract of basidiomycete, produced by long-term liquid culture of shiitake mycelia using Amino Up's proprietary technology; developed since 1986 and researched at medical institutions and universities worldwide.

• Oligonol®

  Low-molecular-weight polyphenol material extracted from lychee, described as the world's first low-molecular-weight polyphenol material.

• ETAS®

  Functional food ingredient made from asparagus extract concentrate, using the cut lower portions of asparagus as raw material.

• Perilla extract

  Extract of green perilla leaves grown by contract farmers in Hokkaido, containing flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin glycosides and rosmarinic acid.

• GCP®

  Soybean-derived isoflavones fermented with basidiomycetes, rich in the aglycone-type isoflavone genistein.

• Dr. Amino Up

  Plant vitality agent prepared from amino acids extracted from natural mushroom basidiomycetes and various active components contained in the fungal cells.

• Kinokopoko™

  Agricultural material developed and launched in 2023.

1. 1株式会社アミノアップ｜人の健康を考える健康食品原料メーカーaminoup.jp
2. 2沿革｜アミノアップ 健康食品原料メーカーaminoup.jp
3. 3製品について｜アミノアップ 健康食品原料メーカーaminoup.jp
4. 4企業情報｜アミノアップ 健康食品原料メーカーaminoup.jp
5. 5Amino Up (Japan)wikidata.org