Description
Structure & Identity
L-Carnitine is the biologically active L-form of carnitine, a quaternary ammonium compound with the formula C₇H₁₅NO₃ and a molecular weight of 161.20 Da. Its chirality matters: the L-form is the one cells use, and its optical rotation is a defining physical property. It is a naturally occurring metabolite rather than a synthetic peptide.
Research Background
L-Carnitine research is rooted in how cells process fat for energy.
- Fatty-acid transport. L-Carnitine shuttles long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta-oxidation [PMID: 29551309].
- Muscle bioenergetics. Its role in muscle energy metabolism is studied in performance research [PMID: 31906370].
- Metabolic functions. Reviews map its wider metabolic roles in human physiology [PMID: 21561431].
- Post-exercise metabolism. It has been studied for post-exercise metabolic-marker readouts [PMID: 29534031].
- Biomarker research. Acylcarnitine derivatives serve as metabolic biomarkers [PMID: 35710135].
These are research contexts, not approved uses, and the compound is intended for laboratory study.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
| Chemical name | L-Carnitine |
| Also Known As | Levocarnitine |
| CAS number | 541-15-1 |
| Molecular formula | C₇H₁₅NO₃ |
| Molecular weight | 161.20 g/mol |
| Optical rotation | [α]D²⁰ = -29.5° to -32.0° |
| Purity | ≥99% by reverse-phase HPLC |
| Identity | Confirmed by ESI mass spectrometry |
| Format | 10 mL liquid |
| Physical form | Liquid |
| Appearance | Clear liquid. |
| Quantity | 600 mg per vial |
| Storage | -20°C, protected from light |
| Solubility | Freely water-soluble |
| Classification | Research use only |
Storage & Handling
Keep the sealed vial frozen at -20°C and away from light until use.
Quality Assurance
L-Carnitine is produced to research-grade standards and verified by an independent lab before release. Purity is measured by reverse-phase HPLC and identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry, with testing carried out by third-party laboratories, including Janoshik Analytical and domestic US labs. A certificate of analysis is issued for each batch, so its figures match the exact vial you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Carnitine a peptide?
No. L-Carnitine is a small quaternary-ammonium molecule, not a peptide. It is studied in metabolism and bioenergetics research and is supplied for research use only.
What does L-Carnitine do in research models?
Its central role is transporting long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for energy production. Researchers use it to study fatty-acid oxidation and cellular energy metabolism.
Why does the “L” matter?
Carnitine has two mirror-image forms, and the L-form is the biologically active one that cells actually use. The optical rotation figure on the specifications reflects that L-form identity.
What is L-Carnitine’s molecular weight?
Its formula is C₇H₁₅NO₃, its molecular weight is 161.20 g/mol, and its CAS number is 541-15-1.
Is L-Carnitine FDA approved?
The material sold here is a research-use-only reference compound, not for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, or treatment.
Is this a powder or a liquid?
Supplied as a liquid in a 10 mL vial for laboratory research.
How should L-Carnitine be stored?
Keep it frozen at -20°C, protected from light.
How is this L-Carnitine verified?
It is tested to ≥99% purity by reverse-phase HPLC with mass-spec identity confirmation by an independent lab, and each batch ships with a certificate of analysis.
