Shandong Kunda Biotechnology L-Carnitine: Physical Characteristics and Practical Insight

What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine carries an essential role in cellular energy production, especially inside the mitochondria where fatty acid oxidation gives the body a significant fuel source. Recognized in biochemistry as 3-Hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyric acid, its molecular formula is C7H15NO3, and its molar mass sits at 161.2 g/mol. With its systematic IUPAC name, (R)-3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)butanoate, this compound has grown crucial in health supplements, sports nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and even animal feed owing to its ability to enhance metabolism and support performance. Shandong Kunda’s L-Carnitine meets international demand, conforming to standards for quality and purity.

Chemical Properties and Structure

This molecule features a backbone with a chiral center, lending it the ability to work with biological systems where only the L-isomer plays an active role. L-Carnitine stands out due to its colorless to white crystalline appearance, offering a stability profile that allows handling in both laboratory and industrial environments. Water solubility defines its handling and application, combining with its physical solid, powder, or even liquid form, to give flexibility across industries. With a melting point in the range of 197°C, and density typically around 1.2 g/cm³, it adapts well for direct mixing or solution formulation. Those who have spent time in food formulation labs or supplement factories know the importance of a product that manages clean conversion from raw to finished material—flaked, granular, pearl, or crystal. The presence of a quaternary ammonium group not only stabilizes its structure but also impacts its ionic movement in solution, giving reliable reactivity and mixing behavior.

Specifications and HS Code

On an industrial scale, specifications draw a line between what is workable and what presents a hazard. For L-Carnitine, purity grades reach above 98%, and strict monitoring of byproducts such as heavy metals or residual solvents maintains safety for human consumption. Its identification in international trade falls under HS Code 29239000, categorized with other quaternary ammonium salts and their derivatives. Those managing supply chains rely on this number for customs, traceability, and compliance, preventing confusion or bottlenecks at borders. Within export documents, this numeric identifier simplifies logistics and reinforces the trust of customers and regulators worldwide.

Physical Forms and Density

The variety in L-Carnitine's physical forms meets the wide range of process requirements. Some manufacturers draw on the powdered or crystalline type for capsule or tablet production, appreciating the ease of accurate dosing and clean blending. Others turn to the flake or pearl form for direct addition in bulk blending or feed mixes, minimizing dust and loss during transfer. The liquid form, often delivered as an aqueous solution, offers convenience for adding directly into syrups, beverages, or injectable formulas without prior dissolution. Density hovers near 1.2 g/cm³ for solids, but solution density depends on concentration—valuable detail for accurate mixing, storage, and quality control. Anyone with experience in process engineering understands how density, solubility, and reactivity play into storage tank selection and mixing protocols, protecting against blockages or uneven distribution.

Raw Materials and Process Integrity

Behind every ton of L-Carnitine stands a raw material chain requiring high standards at every step. Shandong Kunda sources amino acid precursors and chemical reagents with documented origin, preventing impurities that could compromise product safety. Each batch travels through rigorous synthesis, purification, and crystallization, then tested for microbial content and chemical residue to match pharmaceutical and food grade requirements. Safe delivery involves proper packaging—sealed bags or drums for powders and flakes, food-safe containers for solutions—each designed for UV protection and leak prevention.

Safety, Hazards, and Material Handling

Responsible usage means understanding all safety data. L-Carnitine, while generally regarded as safe and classified as non-hazardous for routine handling, still requires basic precautions like dust masks during weighing or gloves during extended contact. The chemical itself carries a low risk of toxicity, with no significant harmful effects observed at approved dosing levels in food or supplement use. Accurate storage conditions—cool, dry, shielded from direct sunlight—ensure material stability and prevent unwanted degradation that can arise in humid or hot environments. By integrating routine quality control and safety audits, operators guard against accidental compromise of batches, meeting both customer standards and regulatory oversight.

Molecular Insight and Chemical Structure

L-Carnitine's molecular skeleton reflects its function, with the carboxylic acid group enabling binding to fatty acids and the trimethylammonium head providing a handle for transport enzymes. This structure means solubility in water above 92 g/L at room temperature, ensuring no clumpy sediment in finished drinks or injectable formulas. Crystallinity guarantees shelf-life predictability, a feature valued by pharmacists and food technologists who depend on controlled release or dissolution rates for efficacy and customer satisfaction. Even a quick scan of the molecular structure diagram signals a robust, user-friendly compound built for integration into modern nutrition solutions.

Industry Applications and Quality Confidence

Those working with dietary supplements, energy drinks, and functional foods benefit from the clean, consistent profile delivered by this product. Pharmaceutical developers count on the traceable source and detailed specification sheets for batch validation. Feed formulators rely on carrier blends that enhance palatability for livestock without unwanted chemical interactions or byproduct residues. The transparency in documentation, batch-to-batch consistency, and international certification sets Shandong Kunda as a partner of choice, reinforcing confidence up and down the supply chain.