Carnitine (L+) Tartrate: Substance Profile, Physical Properties, and Usage Insights

What is Carnitine (L+) Tartrate?

Carnitine (L+) Tartrate stands out in the realm of raw materials as a chemical compound made by combining L-carnitine and tartaric acid in a precise ratio. The resulting product provides a highly bioavailable form of L-carnitine, essential for numerous biochemical processes in health and nutrition industries. This compound brings together the recognized physiological benefits of L-carnitine with the stabilizing properties of tartaric acid, giving it more shelf-stability and solubility than L-carnitine base alone.

Product Properties and Material Structure

Carnitine (L+) Tartrate appears most often as a fine, white crystalline or powdery substance, although it can take the form of flakes, pearls, or sometimes even as a solid granular material, depending on processing methods. Its physical form allows convenient processing for dietary supplements and functional beverages, where it dissolves quickly and blends uniformly. The product's specific density, a crucial consideration for dosing and formulation, hovers around 1.3 g/cm³, landing it solidly in the typical range for crystalline organic compounds. This density ensures straightforward handling for both manual scooping and automated packaging systems.

Chemical Specifications and Formula

The molecular formula for Carnitine (L+) Tartrate is C11H21NO9, combining the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms in a precise structure. Its molecular weight stands at approximately 361.29 g/mol, a value important for precise calculations in laboratory and industrial settings. The crystalline structure underpins its purity and stability, confirmed through material certificates and HPLC analysis in most reputable supply chains. Water solubility reaches approximately 38 g/100 mL at room temperature, which means manufacturers can create clear solutions without clumping, even in concentrated forms. The melting point is generally reported around 200°C, signaling solid thermal stability during short-term processing.

Description of Forms: Powder, Flakes, Solid, Liquid Solution, and Crystals

Manufacturers supply Carnitine (L+) Tartrate mostly as powder since it blends easily and weighs conveniently for large-scale industrial production or small-volume compounding pharmacies. Powder carries an advantage in supplement capsules, tablets, or quick-mix powdered drink sachets. Flaked and pearl forms see use less frequently due to handling complexity but sometimes offer reduced dustiness. Crystalline varieties facilitate analysis of purity or support specific formulation requirements. Liquid solutions, tailored for injectables or high-absorption oral doses, involve mixing measured quantities into water or saline. Each form maintains the core characteristics; the choice depends on intended use and process preferences.

Usage, Safety, and Handling

Every producer and user faces the obligation of understanding the safe and potentially hazardous traits of Carnitine (L+) Tartrate. Under normal conditions, it rates as a non-hazardous, non-toxic material, confirmed through OECD and EU safety classifications. Inhalation of dust, contact with eyes, or accidental ingestion of bulk material calls for basic protective gear, including gloves and safety goggles, just as with any dietary chemical. No severe acute toxicity arises from incidental exposure, but chronic overuse in supplementation might strain metabolic processes, particularly in individuals with preexisting kidney disease. Safe storage involves sealed containers, protecting the compound from moisture and strong oxidizers, which could degrade its chemical stability.

Raw Material, Sourcing, and Traceability

Industries rely on robust sourcing channels for getting quality-assured Carnitine (L+) Tartrate. Raw materials should pass through tight documentation procedures to ensure adulterant-free and contaminant-free status. Suppliers provide certificates of analysis, lot traceability, and good manufacturing practice (GMP) documentation. Many producers align with international food and pharmaceutical standards, which guarantees consistency batch to batch and promotes end-user trust. My own experience working with raw ingredient logistics teams confirms that supply chain transparency pays dividends: brands avoid product recalls and can answer consumer queries with full confidence.

HS Code and Global Trade Identification

The Harmonized System (HS) Code used for Carnitine (L+) Tartrate most often falls under 2923.90, classifying it alongside other amino acid derivatives and related chemical compounds. This categorization matters for setting international tariff rates, facilitating custom clearance, and ensuring paperwork matches both chemical and legal descriptions. Companies in global trade keep standardized product codes on every shipment label and safety data sheet.

Material Considerations and Possible Improvements

As demand for functional ingredients grows, the material characteristics of Carnitine (L+) Tartrate draw fresh scrutiny. Consistency in physical form, particle size, and bulk density contributes directly to manufacturing efficiency and finished product quality. Supply chain partners who invest in advanced milling, sieving, and blending lines deliver a more predictable product, minimizing clumping during production runs. Safety and sustainability push manufacturers to explore greener synthesis routes and cleaner extraction techniques, reducing possible traces of residual solvents or by-products. Enhanced lab testing, such as isotope ratio analysis or spectral fingerprinting, now enables tighter quality controls, as customers and regulators alike raise expectations for traceability.

Environmental, Health, and Regulatory Aspects

Every batch of Carnitine (L+) Tartrate, before reaching food, supplement, or pharmaceutical use, undergoes thorough regulatory checks. Health authorities demand clear Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), outlining any environmental or workplace hazards. Waste management protocols require responsible disposal of manufacturing residues or expired material so the powder or flake does not enter natural waterways or municipal waste streams in bulk. As science advances, authorities continue to refresh acceptable intake limits and permissible impurity thresholds, shaping both the marketing messages and detailed labeling on retail products.