L-carnitine L-tartrate
L-carnitine L-tartrate suppliers and sourcing guide
L-carnitine L-tartrate is a salt of two molecules of L-carnitine with one of L-tartaric acid, about two-thirds L-carnitine by weight. It is made by reacting L-carnitine with L-tartaric acid and crystallizing the salt, which takes up far less moisture than L-carnitine base. Brands buy it as a white crystalline powder or granulate for tablets, capsules, powder blends and infant formula.
- Category
- Proteins and amino acids
- Also known as
- LCLT · L-carnitine tartrate · L-carnitine-L-tartrate
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of L-carnitine L-tartrate
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Crystalline powder
Standard fine crystalline LCLT for capsules and powder blends.
Granulated grades
Granulated LCLT for direct-compression tableting.
Infant formula grade
LCLT made and tested to infant formula requirements, offered by a smaller number of suppliers.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- Infrared spectrum matched to a reference standard, plus specific optical rotation, which confirms the L-form of L-carnitine L-tartrate.
- Assay
- Purity on a dried basis by HPLC or titration, reported against the USP, FCC or supplier specification.
- Related substances
- L-carnitine and L-tartaric acid content by HPLC or titration, which confirms the salt ratio, plus D-carnitine by chiral HPLC.
- Loss on drying and residue on ignition
- Moisture by loss on drying and inorganic residue as residue on ignition (sulfated ash), with chloride and sulfate where the specification lists them.
- Heavy metals and microbiology
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, plus total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store L-carnitine L-tartrate in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. It is far less hygroscopic than L-carnitine base but still cakes in humid storage. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Record L-carnitine and tartaric acid content for each lot, and calculate L-carnitine label amounts from the measured carnitine content rather than the salt weight. Rotate stock FEFO.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
GRN 993, for L-carnitine-L-tartrate notified by Ausnutria for use in cow or goat milk-based term infant formula, closed on October 18, 2021 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 993 describes 0.88 mg of L-carnitine-L-tartrate per 100 kcal as providing 0.6 mg of L-carnitine.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's L-Carnitine natural health product monograph lists L-carnitine tartrate as a source ingredient.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
L-carnitine L-tartrate suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking L-carnitine L-tartrate suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell L-carnitine L-tartrate? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of L-carnitine L-tartrate can brands buy?
Common forms include crystalline powder, granulated grades and infant formula grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for L-carnitine L-tartrate include?
Expect identity, assay, related substances, loss on drying and residue on ignition and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should L-carnitine L-tartrate be stored?
Store L-carnitine L-tartrate in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. It is far less hygroscopic than L-carnitine base but still cakes in humid storage. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of L-carnitine L-tartrate?
GRN 993, for L-carnitine-L-tartrate notified by Ausnutria for use in cow or goat milk-based term infant formula, closed on October 18, 2021 with FDA having no questions. GRN 993 describes 0.88 mg of L-carnitine-L-tartrate per 100 kcal as providing 0.6 mg of L-carnitine. Health Canada's L-Carnitine natural health product monograph lists L-carnitine tartrate as a source ingredient.
More proteins and amino acids
- Collagen Peptideshydrolyzed collagen · collagen hydrolysate
- Creatine Monohydratecreatine · micronized creatine
- L-TheanineTheanine · N-ethyl-L-glutamine
- Pea ProteinPisum sativum protein · pea protein isolate
- Whey Protein IsolateWPI · whey isolate
- Whey protein concentrateWPC · WPC 80
- Whey protein hydrolysateWPH · hydrolyzed whey protein
- Micellar caseinmicellar casein isolate · casein micelles
- Milk protein concentrateMPC · MPC 70
- Milk protein isolateMPI · milk protein
- Sodium caseinatecasein sodium · caseinate sodium salt
- Calcium caseinatecasein calcium · caseinate calcium salt
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.