Fulvic acid

Fulvic acid (CAS 479-66-3), also marketed as Fulvic Minerals and abbreviated FA, is a low-molecular-weight humic fraction extracted from leonardite, shale, or composted organic matter. It functions as a natural chelating agent and biostimulant, improving nutrient availability and uptake in both agricultural and industrial applications. In crop production, FA chelates micronutrients.

These include iron, zinc, and manganese, keeping them soluble and plant-available in soil and foliar spray formulations. Fertilizer manufacturers incorporate it into liquid NPK blends and micronutrient concentrates. This helps to prevent nutrient lockout and improve field performance. In water treatment, FA is applied as a natural complexing agent to bind heavy metals and reduce their bioavailability in effluent streams.

Animal feed producers also use FA as a supplement additive, where its chelating capacity supports mineral absorption in livestock nutrition programs. Fulvic acid is supplied as a dry powder or water-soluble flakes. It is also available as a concentrated liquid solution. Common commercial specifications include potassium fulvate powder, typically featuring 50 to 80 percent FA content, and liquid concentrates standardized by weight.

Technical and agricultural grades are the most prevalent, with product quality often verified against humic substance standards such as those defined by the International Humic Substances Society.