L-Carnitine · Functional Amino Acid for Energy Metabolism & Weight Management Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: (R)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium inner salt (L-carnitine).
• Common name: L-carnitine; sometimes classified as a vitamin-like amino acid derivative.
• Form: typically supplied as a white, hygroscopic, crystalline powder with a mildly acidic or slightly salty taste at higher concentrations.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water, enabling use in beverages, liquid shots, syrups and high-load powder blends.
• Stability:
  • Generally stable in dry form under cool, dry storage conditions,
  • In aqueous systems, stability depends on pH, temperature, ionic strength and co-ingredients, requiring product-specific validation.
• Origin: manufactured by controlled fermentation or synthetic processes suitable for food and nutrition use.
• Purity profile: high L-carnitine assay with tight limits on D-carnitine, related compounds, residual solvents and inorganic impurities.
• Regulatory status:
  • Permitted uses, maximum levels and target population are country- and category-dependent,
  • Any weight management, fat metabolism, energy or performance claims must follow applicable nutrition and health claim legislation in each market.

Atlas supports customers in positioning L-carnitine correctly within evidence-informed sports, weight management and active-lifestyle concepts, ensuring alignment between ingredient quality, dosage, processing and regulatory frameworks.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are defined by project and producer. Typical food/nutrition-grade L-carnitine (base or equivalent) parameters include:

• Assay (L-carnitine): usually ≥ 98.0–99.0% on dried basis, calculated as L-carnitine.
• Appearance: white to almost white crystals or crystalline powder, free from visible foreign matter.
• Specific rotation: within defined positive limits confirming the L-configuration.
• pH (in solution): controlled and consistent with specification, relevant to formulation pH design.
• Loss on drying: limited to maintain assay accuracy and flow properties.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low levels according to food-grade purity standards.
• Heavy metals and selected elements: restricted in line with nutrition and supplement regulations.
• D-carnitine and related substances: strictly limited according to internal and pharmacopeial-style criteria.
• Residual solvents: monitored and controlled to remain within regulatory thresholds or “not detected” levels.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for sports, weight management, beverage and supplement applications.
• Particle size distribution: grades optimised for powder blends, encapsulation, tableting and rapid dissolution in liquids.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional supporting documents (GMO status, allergen declarations, dietary suitability such as vegetarian/vegan where applicable, contaminants and pesticide data, origin, Halal/Kosher certificates and other statements) can be provided from approved L-carnitine producers to support audits, registrations and regulatory dossiers.

Sports & active-lifestyle nutrition

• Pre-, intra- & post-workout products – L-carnitine is used in ready-to-mix (RTM) powders, capsules and beverages targeting active adults, often combined with amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins and caffeine where permitted.
• Energy & endurance blends – included in energy powders, shots and drinks formulated with B-vitamins, taurine, creatine and other actives to support energy-positioned products.
• High-protein shakes & sports beverages – L-carnitine can be added to dairy and plant-based protein drinks targeting active lifestyle and gym users, with attention to pH and heat treatment.

Weight management & metabolic concepts*

• Weight management capsules & tablets* – L-carnitine is often combined with caffeine, green tea extract, plant fibres and vitamins in adult-focused formulations, within local regulatory limits.
• Meal replacement & diet shakes* – used in portion-controlled powder shakes or RTD drinks positioned for weight management, together with proteins, fibres, vitamins and minerals.
• Active-lifestyle shots* – small-volume beverages containing L-carnitine, caffeine and other nutrients aimed at adults, with defined per-serving and per-day usage guidance.

*Weight management and metabolic concepts must strictly follow local regulations on permitted claims, maximum levels, target populations and mandatory warnings.

Specialised & clinical nutrition*

• Medical & clinical nutrition formulas* – L-carnitine may be used in enteral or specialised nutrition products where clinically justified and permitted by regulation.
• Paediatric or condition-specific nutrition* – certain formulations may use L-carnitine under strict medical supervision and regulatory control.

*All clinical and specialised uses must be developed with medical, regulatory and scientific teams and comply with category-specific legislation, compositional standards and clinical evidence requirements.

Gummies, powders & other supplement formats

• Gummies & soft chews – L-carnitine can be formulated into pouch or jar gummies for adult consumers, often combined with B-vitamins, caffeine (for energy concepts), herbal extracts and sweeteners.
• RTM powders & stick packs – high solubility enables single-serve sticks and bulk RTM powders for on-the-go preparation, typically with flavours and sweeteners tailored to target markets.
• Multi-ingredient capsules & tablets – combined with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and botanicals to build differentiated energy, active-lifestyle and weight management supplement lines.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage design:
  • Usage levels depend on local regulations, safety assessments, category (food vs. supplement vs. clinical) and target population,
  • Developers should ensure that daily intake from all product formats remains within nationally accepted ranges.
• Solubility, pH & processing:
  • L-carnitine dissolves readily in water; it is usually added via premixes, syrups or direct dosing into process water,
  • In RTD beverages, stability depends on pH, ionic strength and heat treatment; pilot trials and shelf-life testing are recommended.
• Sensory & flavour:
  • At working levels, L-carnitine may contribute a slightly sour/salty note, which can be balanced with acidulants, sweeteners and flavour systems (e.g. citrus, berry, tropical profiles),
  • Flavour masking strategies may be needed for high-dose powders and shots.
• Compatibility with other ingredients:
  • Generally compatible with proteins, amino acids, caffeine, B-vitamins, minerals and plant extracts in dry systems,
  • Liquid systems require evaluation of stability and any interactions with minerals, sweeteners and acidulants.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must verify permitted uses and maximum levels of L-carnitine in each product category and market,
  • Any energy, metabolism, performance or weight-management claims must be based on locally approved claim wording,
  • Labels should clearly declare L-carnitine content per serving, and where required, provide warnings and consumption advice for products combining L-carnitine with caffeine or other actives.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade L-carnitine with agreed specifications for assay, optical purity, residual solvents, inorganic impurities and microbiological quality.
• Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet describing key parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), contaminants & pesticide data, solvent declarations, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates according to the selected grade and producer.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000); further certifications may be available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum daily intakes, product claims, warnings and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners designed for moisture protection and safe handling. Other packaging sizes may be evaluated for specific projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture, heat and odour-intensive materials to maintain assay, flow and sensory quality.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the product specification and COA; customers should validate L-carnitine content, physical properties and sensory behaviour in their own products and shelf-life studies.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your target applications (sports nutrition, weight management, energy drinks, RTM powders, gummies, clinical or specialised nutrition, etc.), desired L-carnitine level per serving, formulation format (liquid, powder, capsule/tablet), planned co-ingredients (caffeine, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, etc.), annual volume, preferred packaging, documentation/certification requirements (Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable L-carnitine grades and system concepts for your projects.