It is known that N conversion factors are used to determine protein content of a nitrogenous compound. My question is if we have an amino acid, for example arginine and its N content is 32% (therefore conversion factor 3.125) and we know 1gm arginine contains 0.32g nitrogen. Then what is the protein equivalent of 1gm arginine? Is it 0.32*3.125=1gm protein or is it the nitrogen content *6.25: 0.32*6.25=2gm protein? Thanks.
Perhaps I misunderstand your question. If you have determined the content of an amino acid in a sample, you may convert it into a protein amount if you know the mean amino acid content in this respective protein or mixture. In the link below, you find some examples. Sometimes you know the amino acid content of your protein exactly. A nitrogen content can be converted directly into a protein content if you use the usual conversion factors.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10811-012-9902-5
In proximate analysis of stock feeds a factor of X 6.25 is used to estimate protein concentration from measured N concentration. I doubt that this approximation applies to pure organics such as amino acids.
Crude protein or stock feeds (as mentioned by Dr.Milham) may contain aminoacids,amides or non- protein -N.So a general factor of 6.25 (assuming 16% N in the protein) is used to convert estimated N to protein.However if one knows the amino acid composition of protein and its N concentration accordingly factor will vary (as per the example for arginine given by Chandini).So one can derive and use a factor if one knows the amino acid composition and N concentration in individual aminoacids.The paper attached by Dr.Weller also supports this view.
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