L-Carnitine Fumarate · Stable L-Carnitine Salt for Sports & Weight Management Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical description: L-carnitine fumarate – a salt of L-carnitine with fumaric acid (often near 1:1 molar ratio, as agreed per specification).
• Common positioning: functional amino acid ingredient for energy metabolism, fat metabolism and active-lifestyle formulas where permitted.
• Form: typically a white to off-white, crystalline powder with good flowability and lower hygroscopicity compared with L-carnitine base.
• Solubility: freely soluble to highly soluble in water, suitable for RTM powders, sachets and selected beverage systems. Some turbidity may appear in complex matrices and should be evaluated in formulation trials.
• Stability:
  • Generally very stable in dry form under cool, dry storage conditions,
  • Good stability in many powder supplements and solid dosage forms,
  • Liquid applications require assessment of pH, temperature and ionic strength for optimum stability.
• Functional role vs. L-carnitine base and tartrate:
  • Provides a well-defined L-carnitine content with improved handling vs. base,
  • Complementary to L-carnitine tartrate, which is often preferred in high-intensity sports concepts,
  • Selection between base, fumarate and tartrate depends on dosage form, regulatory positioning, taste profile and process conditions.
• Regulatory status:
  • Use in foods and supplements is country-specific with defined maximum levels, target population and permitted claims,
  • Any weight management, fat metabolism, energy or performance claims must follow local nutrition and health claim regulations.

Atlas works with R&D teams to choose the most appropriate L-carnitine form (base, tartrate, fumarate) based on dosage form, flavour profile, regulatory context and supply-chain needs.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are tailored per project. Typical food/nutrition-grade L-carnitine fumarate parameters include:

• Assay (L-carnitine fumarate): usually 97.0–101.0%, corresponding to a defined % L-carnitine base as indicated on the specification.
• Appearance: white to off-white crystals or crystalline powder, free-flowing and free from visible foreign matter.
• Specific rotation: within defined positive limits, confirming optical purity (L-isomer).
• pH (in solution): controlled and consistent with specification; relevant for beverage and RTM powder design.
• Loss on drying: limited to ensure assay consistency and flowability.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low levels in line with high-purity nutrition ingredients.
• Heavy metals and selected elements: restricted to meet food and supplement standards.
• Related substances (including D-carnitine and carnitine-related impurities): strictly limited according to internal and pharmacopeial-style criteria.
• Residual solvents: monitored in line with regulatory thresholds and typically kept to very low or “not detected” levels.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for sports, weight management, beverage and supplement applications.
• Particle size & bulk density: grades optimised for direct compression, encapsulation and homogeneous blending in complex powder systems.

Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documents (GMO status, allergen declarations, dietary suitability such as vegetarian/vegan where applicable, contaminants & pesticide data, solvent information, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates) can be provided from approved L-carnitine fumarate producers to support audits, registrations and regulatory submissions.

Sports & active-lifestyle nutrition

• Pre-, intra- & post-workout capsules/tablets – L-carnitine fumarate is widely used in solid dosage forms targeting energy metabolism and active lifestyles, often in combination with caffeine, amino acids, B-vitamins and plant extracts, where permitted.
• RTM and powdered drink mixes – included in ready-to-mix sports drinks and energy powders with proteins, carbohydrates, electrolytes and actives; the stable salt form supports blend uniformity and shelf-life.
• High-protein and diet shakes – added to portion-controlled or high-protein shakes targeting active lifestyle and gym users, provided L-carnitine addition is allowed in the relevant category.

Weight management & metabolic concepts*

• Weight management capsules & tablets* – L-carnitine fumarate is combined with green tea extract, caffeine, plant fibres, chromium and B-vitamins in adult-focused formulas.
• Meal replacement & diet powders* – used in diet shakes and RTM powders with proteins, fibres, vitamins and minerals in weight management ranges.
• Energy shots & on-the-go sticks* – single-serve formats where dose accuracy and portability are key.

*All weight management applications must follow local rules on permitted uses, maximum daily intakes, claim wording and target population.

Specialised & clinical nutrition*

• Medical and clinical nutrition formulas* – L-carnitine fumarate may be used as one of several carnitine sources in enteral or specialised formulas, where clinically justified.
• Condition-specific formulas* – certain formulations utilise L-carnitine under medical supervision and tight regulatory control.

*Clinical and specialised nutrition uses should be defined together with medical, scientific and regulatory teams and comply with category-specific regulations and compositional standards.

Gummies, multi-ingredient supplements & other formats

• Gummies & soft chews – L-carnitine fumarate can be used in adult gummies targeting energy or weight management concepts, where formulation teams balance loading level, texture and flavour masking.
• Direct-compression tablets – the free-flowing crystalline salt supports direct compression with suitable excipients, often in multi-vitamin/mineral-energy tablets.
• Combination capsules – used with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and botanical extracts to build complex energy and metabolism supplement lines.

Formulation guidance

• Determining dosage:
  • Dosage is usually expressed as mg L-carnitine per serving and calculated from the corresponding amount of L-carnitine fumarate,
  • Permitted intake levels depend on local regulations, product category and target population (e.g. adults only).
• Processing & stability:
  • The fumarate salt’s reduced hygroscopicity supports stable powders, tablets and capsules even in challenging climates.
  • In beverages, developers should evaluate pH (often mildly acidic), heat treatment, ionic strength and storage conditions to ensure long-term stability.
• Sensory profile:
  • L-carnitine fumarate may add a slightly sour note due to fumaric acid; this is generally compatible with citrus, berry and tropical flavour profiles,
  • Flavour systems and sweeteners can be optimised to deliver consumer-friendly taste even at higher doses.
• Compatibility with other ingredients:
  • Compatible with most proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and plant extracts in dry systems,
  • In liquid systems, co-formulation with minerals, acidulants, sweeteners and preservatives should be validated in stability and sensory tests.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm the legal status and maximum levels of L-carnitine in foods and supplements in each destination market,
  • Any energy, metabolism, performance or weight-management claims must use locally approved wording and include any required warnings,
  • Labels should clearly indicate L-carnitine content per serving (often alongside the amount of L-carnitine fumarate) and, where relevant, specify adult-only usage or daily intake guidance.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade L-carnitine fumarate with agreed specifications for assay (incl. L-carnitine content), optical purity, residual solvents and microbiological quality.
• Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet describing key parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation may include GMO status, allergen statements, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), contaminants & pesticide data, solvent declarations, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates depending on grade and producer.
• Manufacturing sites generally operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000); further certifications are available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum daily intakes, nutrition and health claims, warnings and label declarations in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners providing moisture protection and clean handling. Alternative pack sizes may be evaluated for high-volume or special projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads combined with other amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture, heat and odour-intensive materials to maintain assay, flow and sensory quality.
• Typical shelf life is defined on the product specification and COA; customers should validate L-carnitine content, physical properties and sensory performance in their own formulations over shelf life.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation managed from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your target applications (sports nutrition, weight management, energy drinks, RTM powders, capsules/tablets, gummies or specialised nutrition), desired L-carnitine level per serving, preferred carnitine form (base, tartrate, fumarate), co-ingredients (proteins, amino acids, caffeine, vitamins, minerals, botanicals, etc.), annual volume, packaging format, documentation/certification requirements (Halal, Kosher, non-GMO, specific contaminant limits, etc.) and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable L-carnitine fumarate grades and system concepts matched to your projects.