UPDATE 1-US appeals court rules against Ajinomoto on lysine

* Upholds ITC ruling in lysine case

* Lysine fed to livestock raised for slaughter

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court ruled that Ajinomoto Co's (2802.T) patents to produce lysine, a livestock feed additive, were not violated by five competitors.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which hears most patent appeals, ruled on Monday that the International Trade Commission was correct in ruling that three Ajinomoto patents were not violated by Global Bio-Chem Technology Group Co Ltd, Changchun Dacheng Bio-chem Engineering Development Co Ltd, Changchun Baocheng Bio-Chem Development Co Ltd, Changchun Dahe Bio Technology Development Co, or Bio-chem Technology Ltd.

Two of the patents have to do with ways to produce lysine using a genetically engineered bacteria to get larger quantities. Lysine is an amino acid that is fed to livestock raised for slaughter.

Portions of the lawsuit date back to 2006. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by John Wallace)