L-Carnitine is a weight management research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
L-Carnitine ((R)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium) is a quaternary ammonium compound biosynthesized in humans from lysine and methionine, with the final biosynthetic steps requiring vitamin C and iron as cofactors. Its primary biochemical function is facilitating the transport of long-chain fatty acids (C12-C20) across the inner mitochondrial membrane — the rate-limiting step in mitochondrial β-oxidation. Without sufficient carnitine, long-chain fatty acids cannot enter the mitochondrial matrix for energy production, accumulating instead in the cytosol. This essential role in fatty acid metabolism makes L-carnitine a widely used research compound in metabolic, cardiac, and exercise physiology research.
Research applications for L-carnitine span several areas: mitochondrial biology and β-oxidation studies, cardiac metabolism (the heart derives the majority of its ATP from fatty acid oxidation), skeletal muscle exercise physiology (where carnitine availability has been hypothesized to influence fuel selection and performance), and clinical nutrition research in conditions of carnitine deficiency (primary and secondary — the latter occurring in renal disease, vegetarian diets, and preterm infants). The acylcarnitine profile in biological fluids is also used as a biomarker for fatty acid oxidation disorders, and L-carnitine challenges are a research tool for examining carnitine shuttle capacity.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies L-Carnitine as a powder at 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC. Certificate of Analysis accompanies every batch. All products are for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.
| Chemical Class | Quaternary ammonium compound (zwitterionic amino acid derivative) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | L-Carnitine, Levocarnitine, (R)-Carnitine, Vitamin BT |
| Molecular Formula | C₇H₁₅NO₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 161.2 Da |
| CAS Number | 541-15-1 |
| PubChem CID | 10917 |
| Primary Function | Long-chain fatty acid transport across inner mitochondrial membrane (carnitine shuttle) |
| Research Areas | Mitochondrial β-oxidation, cardiac metabolism, exercise physiology, carnitine deficiency models, lipid metabolism |
| Form | Powder |
| Storage | Room temperature dry storage acceptable; 2-8°C recommended for long-term; aqueous solutions stable at 2-8°C for weeks |
| Sequence | N/A — amino acid derivative (not a peptide) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-Carnitine | 600 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $45.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS. Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) is included with every order. Documentation covers purity, molecular weight, and batch identification.
L-Carnitine is the obligate carrier for long-chain fatty acid entry into the mitochondrial matrix via CPT1/CPT2 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 and 2) and the carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase. Research has used carnitine supplementation, carnitine depletion (by mildronate/meldonium inhibiting carnitine biosynthesis), and the acylcarnitine profile to study β-oxidation flux and its regulation. Carnitine shuttle capacity is a key endpoint in research on mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and metabolic flexibility.
The heart derives >70% of its ATP from fatty acid oxidation, making carnitine transport essential to cardiac energetics. Research has examined carnitine's role in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury models — where fatty acid oxidation regulation affects recovery — and in heart failure models where shifts from fatty acid to glucose oxidation occur. Acylcarnitine accumulation in ischemic hearts has been studied as a marker of CPT2-limited fatty acid clearance.
L-Carnitine's role in fuel selection during exercise has been examined in human and rodent exercise physiology research. Studies have used stable isotope tracers to examine carnitine's influence on the fat oxidation/glucose oxidation ratio during exercise of different intensities. The carnitine content of skeletal muscle (approximately 95% of body carnitine is in muscle) and its rate of decline during exercise have been characterized as determinants of fuel flexibility in athletic performance research.
The carnitine palmitoyltransferase enzymes and carnitine transporters (OCTN2) are stereoselective — they recognize only the L- (R-) enantiomer. D-Carnitine is biologically inert and can actually competitively inhibit L-carnitine uptake by OCTN2. Research requiring carnitine shuttle activity must use the L-form exclusively; D-carnitine is occasionally used in research as a negative control.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) has an acetyl group esterified to the hydroxyl. ALCAR crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than L-carnitine, making it preferred for central nervous system carnitine research. ALCAR can also donate its acetyl group to acetyl-CoA, providing a substrate for acetylcholine synthesis and histone acetylation. L-Carnitine is preferred for peripheral fatty acid oxidation and transport research.
L-Carnitine is supplied at 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC. Certificate of Analysis from the manufacturing facility is included with every batch.
L-Carnitine powder is hygroscopic — store in a tightly sealed container. Room temperature storage is acceptable short-term; 2-8°C is recommended for long-term stability. Aqueous solutions are stable at 2-8°C for several weeks.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.