L-Carnitine Tartrate · High-Stability Carnitine Salt for Sports & Weight Management Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical description: L-carnitine tartrate – a salt of L-carnitine and L(+)-tartaric acid in a defined molar ratio (e.g. approximately 2:1, depending on grade and specification).
• Common abbreviations: L-carnitine L-tartrate, LCLT.
• Form: typically a white to off-white crystalline powder with good flowability and markedly lower hygroscopicity than L-carnitine base.
• Solubility: generally freely soluble in water; suitable for RTM powders, sachets and selected beverage systems. Clarity and taste in final applications should be evaluated in product-specific trials.
• Stability:
  • Very good stability in dry, solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules, powders),
  • In liquids, stability depends on pH, temperature and ionic strength; mildly acidic conditions are typically preferred.
• Functional role vs. other carnitine forms:
  • L-carnitine base – highly soluble but more hygroscopic; often used in liquids and syrups,
  • L-carnitine fumarate – stable salt for solid and RTM systems with fumaric acid profile,
  • L-carnitine tartrate – favoured in many sports and performance-positioned formulas requiring robust handling and high L-carnitine content.
• Regulatory status:
  • Use in foods and supplements is regulated at national/ regional level,
  • Permitted maximum levels, target population and health claims differ by jurisdiction, especially for weight management and performance-related messaging.

Atlas helps R&D teams evaluate whether L-carnitine base, fumarate or tartrate is the best fit for a given dosage form, process and positioning, while keeping ingredient selection aligned with local regulatory frameworks.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed for each project and supplier. Typical food/nutrition-grade L-carnitine tartrate parameters include:

• Assay (L-carnitine tartrate): usually 97.0–102.0%, corresponding to a defined percentage of L-carnitine base (e.g. often around 65–70% L-carnitine, depending on salt ratio; exact value on spec).
• Appearance: white to off-white crystals or crystalline powder, free from visible foreign matter.
• Specific rotation: within defined positive limits, confirming the L-configuration and optical purity.
• pH (in aqueous solution): controlled according to specification, relevant for formulation pH design.
• Loss on drying: limited to maintain assay accuracy and flow properties.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low values in line with high-purity nutrition ingredients.
• Heavy metals and selected elements: in compliance with food and supplement standards.
• Related substances (including D-carnitine and other impurities): strictly limited according to internal and pharmacopeial-style criteria.
• Residual solvents: monitored and kept below regulatory thresholds or at “not detected” levels depending on the grade.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for sports, weight management and supplement use.
• Particle size distribution & bulk density: selected to support direct compression, encapsulation and homogeneous blending in complex RTM systems.

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

Sports & active-lifestyle nutrition

• Pre-, intra- & post-workout capsules & tablets – L-carnitine tartrate is frequently used in multi-ingredient sports formulas with amino acids, caffeine, B-vitamins, electrolytes and plant extracts for adult athletes and active consumers.
• RTM powders & sachets – ideal for ready-to-mix sports drinks and energy powders, offering good blend uniformity and shelf-life alongside proteins, carbohydrates and functional actives.
• High-protein and lifestyle shakes – L-carnitine tartrate can be incorporated into portion-controlled shakes and smoothies where L-carnitine addition is permitted in the relevant category.

Weight management & metabolic concepts*

• Weight management tablets & capsules* – used in adult-only formulations with plant extracts, fibres, caffeine, green tea and B-vitamins under national regulations.
• Diet & meal replacement powders* – included in portion-controlled shakes that also contain proteins, fibres, vitamins and minerals.
• On-the-go sticks & shots* – used in single-serve portions for active consumers, often alongside caffeine and other functional nutrients.

*All weight management and metabolic applications must comply with local rules on permitted uses, maximum daily intakes, claim wording, target population and mandatory warnings.

Specialised & clinical nutrition*

• Medical & clinical nutrition* – L-carnitine tartrate can be one of several carnitine sources in enteral or specialised formulas, where clinically justified and permitted by regulation.
• Condition-specific formulas* – sometimes used under medical supervision with strict compositional and evidence requirements.

*Clinical and specialised uses should be defined in collaboration with medical, scientific and regulatory teams and follow category-specific legislation and standards.

Gummies, combination products & other formats

• Gummies & soft chews – L-carnitine tartrate is suitable for adult gummies targeting energy and active-lifestyle concepts, where formulation teams balance loading level, acid profile, sweetness and flavour.
• Direct-compression tablets – free-flowing crystals make L-carnitine tartrate attractive for multi-vitamin/mineral-energy tablets and sports tablets using direct compression.
• Multi-ingredient capsules – combined with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and botanicals to create differentiated sports and active-lifestyle supplement lines.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage & calculation:
  • Dosage is typically expressed as mg L-carnitine per serving, derived from the corresponding amount of L-carnitine tartrate using its defined L-carnitine content.
  • Permitted daily intake levels depend on local regulations, product category and target population.
• Processing & stability:
  • The tartrate salt offers reduced hygroscopicity, enhancing stability in powders, tablets and capsules even in challenging climates.
  • In beverages, developers should evaluate pH (usually in an acidic range), heat treatment, mineral content and storage to confirm long-term stability and sensory performance.
• Sensory profile:
  • L-carnitine tartrate can contribute a slightly sour and salty note, generally compatible with citrus, berry and tropical flavour profiles.
  • Optimised flavour systems and sweeteners are recommended for high-dose powders and shots.
• Compatibility:
  • Compatible with most proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners and botanical extracts in dry systems.
  • Liquid systems require validation for interactions with minerals, acidulants, preservatives and other actives.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm permitted uses and maximum L-carnitine levels in each market and product category.
  • Any energy, metabolism, performance or weight-management claims must respect local nutrition and health claim regulations including wording, evidence and warnings.
  • Labels should specify L-carnitine content per serving and, where relevant, note that the source is L-carnitine tartrate, with adult-only usage and consumption guidance where required.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade L-carnitine tartrate with agreed specifications for assay (including L-carnitine content), optical purity, residual solvents, impurities and microbiological quality.
• Each lot is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet describing key test parameters and analytical methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, 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 typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000); further certifications may be available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum daily intakes, product claims, warnings and labelling in each destination market and product category.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 20–25 kg fibre drums or multi-wall paper bags with inner liners for moisture protection and clean handling. Other pack sizes can be evaluated for high-volume or customised projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away 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 are advised to validate L-carnitine content, physical properties and flavour performance in their own formulations over shelf life.
• Shipments can be organised 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 tartrate grades and system concepts matched to your projects.