Messi Biology states that magnesium carbonate exhibits stable and reliable anticaking effects in amino acid products through a composite mechanism of moisture absorption, isolation, physical dispersion, fluidity improvement, and inert compatibility. Most amino acids are highly hygroscopic substances, making them particularly prone to absorbing moisture and clumping in high-humidity environments.
Magnesium carbonate possesses a certain moisture-absorbing capacity, allowing it to adsorb part of the moisture first to delay direct moisture absorption by the amino acids. This inhibits the formation of “liquid bridges” or “crystal bridges,” serving as one of the “indirect anticaking” mechanisms. Acting like miniature desiccants dispersed within the powder to absorb free water, it helps control local humidity and prevents localized sticking of the amino acid powder.
The fine particles of magnesium carbonate can fill the gaps between amino acid powder particles, providing physical separation that reduces the contact frequency between particles. This minimizes the formation of crystal or liquid bridge structures caused by moisture migration. Functioning similarly to a “powder gasket,” it effectively inhibits the tendency toward agglomeration, making it particularly suitable for easily deliquescent amino acids such as lysine and threonine.
The surface of magnesium carbonate has a degree of hydrophobicity. When mixed with amino acid powder, it can reduce the overall hydrophilicity of the bulk material, thereby improving its fluidity and reducing accumulation and adhesion caused by static electricity or moisture. This improvement in flowability helps reduce clumping caused by stacking pressure, which has a positive impact on mechanical packaging and automated feeding processes.
By rationally selecting the particle size and volume of magnesium carbonate, an interference layer can be formed with amino acids of different particle sizes to block the crystal bridge structures—crystalline connections formed after trace moisture evaporates. Light magnesium carbonate, with its large bulk volume, is conducive to moisture absorption and filling, while nano-magnesium carbonate, with its large surface area, is better suited for fine-tuning moisture migration channels.