Science

Papers, Reports and Articles

Amino Acid Fish Feeding Stimulants for Aquaculture and Angling Products

Scientific review of how amino acids may be used to create effective feed additives for aquacultural applications, as well as superior baits and feeds for anglers. General (impulse), Carp (Cyprophil) and Catfish (Catatonic) products are also discussed.

The Four Phases of Feeding Stimulation

Important video showing the four phases of feeding stimulation fish experience when exposed to increasing concentrations of amino acids.

The Science Behind Impulse

A deep dive into the science behind Impulse. Take a look at the underlying theory gleaned from pharmaceutical literate relating top how blockers extend the effective dosage range of single amino acid feeding stimulants.

Carpology Impulse Test!

Carpology perform a true scientific test of Impulse and conclusively show Impulse, when used correctly, will significantly out fish other baits. During the 24 hour session Impulse dosed pellets out fished otherwise identical baits by an amazing margin of 13-1.

Quest For The Ultimate Bait: Cracking The Amino Acid Code

Discussion of how 20+ years of amino acid research has led to the creation of what may likely become a new benchmark product in carp fishing. This information was presented for the first time at the 2025 Winter Carp Show (November 29th and 30th) at Sandown Racecourse in the UK.

Review of Amino Acids and Carp Fishing

A review, from an angler's perspective, of how fish (specifically carp) not only detect and home in on amino acid signals in the wild, but how such signals can be optimized within a bait to produce an involuntary feeding response. The first half of the video details the underlying physiology of chemoreception, while the second section details how amino acids may be optimally used in carp and other baits.

Conclusive Impulse Test (Including Upgraded Tank Set Up)

AT LAST! After many years attempting to model the feeding behavior of fish towards amino acids seen in the wild, we were recently able to emulate this in the lab! Our new 'pulsed' experiments, using an amino acid 'chimney', faithfully emulate the feeding frenzy elicited by our Impulse feeding stimulant, as seen in the wild. The video clearly shows the fish being stimulated to feed by a dyed solution of Impulse. Importantly, feeding stimulus peaks immediately following a pulse of amino acids. This effect is repeatable and seen over a broad concentration range, as is also generated by common baits and feeds in the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions


If you have a question regarding Impulse™, or any related product, please review the following list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you don't see an appropriate answer to your inquiry below, please email us directly at info@biosourcebaits.com or reach out via the Contact Us form - we'll address your request promptly! 

  • What is Impulse™ ?

    The Impulse™  bio stimulant is solvated (dissolved) mixture comprising several naturally occurring biologically active molecular compounds (amino acids). These natural materials are food grade and are not, in any way, hazardous to aquatic or human life.

  • What's the difference between Impulse™ , Catatonic™ and Cypriophil™ ?

    Impulse™  is a binary blend of amino acids in solution form. It is added to baits prior to use and is effective at invoking an enhanced feeding response among a broad cross- section of sporting species. The USER GUIDE details how to prepare all common baits.


    Currently under development, Catatonic™ promises to deliver on every serious carp angler’s dream – a liquid additive that, when added to any hydrolyzed protein (hydro), furnishes the same feeding stimulus as our legendary Impulse™ additive.


    CypriophilT™ is a ‘universal’ fish attractant designed for use in the Invasive species mitigation and/or aquaculture industries. This multi-amino acid embodiment is designed to attract a wide assortment of cyprinoid species, including, but not limited to Asian carp (Black, Bighead and Silver), Common carp and Grass carp. Importantly, in common with original Impulse™, Cypriophil™ is also extremely efficient at attracting a variety of commercial species, including channel catfish and trout.

  • Which species of fish are stimulated to feed Impulse™ ?

    Impulse™  induces a spontaneous feeding response among a wide variety of species including: barbel, bream, carp, F1 hybrids, perch, roach, and tench (UK tests); as well as Asian carp, bass, buffalo, catfish, grass carp, shad, sturgeon, and trout (US tests).

  • What are the origins of the product names?

    All our product names point towards how each product either works or hints at what it does. For example, Impulse™ functions as a modulator of nerve impulses from the fishes’ chemoreceptors to the brain – the physiological process that results in a greatly enhanced feeding response.

  • How do the products work?

    Briefly, the products are olfactory Molecular Recognition feeding stimulants. They target specific classes of chemoreceptor sites at the fishes' olfactory membranes. If introduced into an aquatic environment, at recommended levels, they induce an enhanced searching and feeding response from a broad cross-section of fish species.

  • What is Molecular Recognition?

    Molecular Recognition (MR) is a term used in biochemistry to explain how molecules of specific size, shape and chemical functionality bind to dedicated receptor sites.

  • Is Impulse™ some kind of pheromone / hormone or does it contain pheromones / hormones?

    NO! Impulse™, Hydrostm™  and Cypriophil™  are olfactory stimulants, not hormones or pheromones. Thus, these products should NOT be confused, or associated, with any type of pheromone-based attractants that have previously appeared on the market.

  • Are Impulse™ , Catatonic™ and Cypriophil™ attractants, stimulants, or both?

    Both. We have determined, contrary to the scientific literature, that the concentration of an amino acid in the fishes’ environment determines the fishes’ response. Simply, low concentrations are attractive, while higher concentrations are stimulatory.

  • Where can I buy Impulse™ products?

    Check out the LINKS TO PARTNERS under the RETAIL PRODUCTS page at this site. Also, Impulsesupplies.com ships our products worldwide.

An Angler's Guide to Amino Acids

Introduction What's the deal with amino acids (AAs)? After all, pretty much every bait on the market claims to have harnessed the *magical* fish catching power of these simple molecules (although anglers' 'on the bank' experiences have, to date, generally not supported their respective manufacturer's overly exaggerated claims!). Having acknowledged these facts, the reality of the matter is that we can now reveal, for the first time, that the AA enigma has finally been 'cracked' with regard to crafting effective AA based additives which, in turn, induce a significantly enhanced feeding response among a broad range of fish species (including carp).

Carp Fever Revisited: The Evolution of Amino Acids in carp Fishing

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