L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (LCLT) · Concentrated Carnitine Form for Sports & Active Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: L-carnitine L-tartrate (LCLT), a salt of L-carnitine with L-tartaric acid.
• Form: typically a white or almost white, crystalline powder or granules with good flow properties.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water, allowing use in powders, shots and selected beverage systems.
• Taste profile: slightly acidic with a characteristic tart note; flavour systems are used to integrate or mask the taste in beverages and high-dosage powders.
• Function: used as a functional nutrient in products positioned around energy, fat metabolism, exercise performance and active lifestyle, within applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Formulation advantages vs. L-carnitine base:
  • Improved stability and handling in many dry blends,
  • Good compressibility for tablets and capsules,
  • Defined and consistent carnitine content per gram of salt.
• Compatibility: generally compatible with B-vitamins, amino acids, caffeine, taurine, minerals and sweeteners used in sports and energy formulations.

Atlas helps customers select the most suitable carnitine form and grade (L-carnitine base, L-carnitine L-tartrate, acetyl-L-carnitine, etc.) according to dosage form, positioning and regulatory needs.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are agreed per project and destination market. Typical food and supplement-grade L-carnitine L-tartrate parameters include:

• Assay: generally around 97.0–102.0% L-carnitine L-tartrate (on dried basis), with defined L-carnitine content calculated from the salt.
• Appearance: white to almost white crystalline powder or granules, free from visible foreign matter.
• Identification tests: confirm L-carnitine and L-tartrate presence and correct salt structure.
• Specific rotation: within specified limits to demonstrate L-isomer purity.
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure stable potency, flowability and shelf life.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: limited in line with specification and regulatory requirements.
• pH (in solution): within agreed range suited to beverage and premix applications.
• Related substances and organic impurities: controlled to meet food and supplement standards.
• Heavy metals and contaminants: limited to comply with global and local safety limits.
• Microbiological profile: aligned with good manufacturing practice, with tighter limits available if required for specific nutrition categories.

Each batch is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO status, allergen declarations, dietary suitability, contaminants, origin, Halal/Kosher certifications) can be provided from approved producers.

Sports powders & functional blends

• Pre-workout powders – LCLT included with amino acids (e.g. BCAAs, beta-alanine), caffeine, taurine and electrolytes in performance-positioned formulas.
• Intra- and post-workout blends – LCLT combined with proteins, carbohydrates and micronutrients to create complete sports nutrition solutions.
• Active lifestyle powders – LCLT used in daily drink mixes targeting energy and wellness, formulated in sticks, sachets and tubs.

Tablets, capsules & shots

• Tablets and coated tablets – LCLT’s compressibility and stability make it suitable for pressed forms, alone or in multi-ingredient blends.
• Hard capsules – LCLT-filled capsules for sports and weight-management supplements.
• Liquid shots and ampoules – LCLT dissolved or dispersed in ready-to-drink concentrates with flavour, sweetener and stabilising systems.

Energy & performance beverages

• Energy and functional RTDs – LCLT used in energy, focus and performance beverages, where solubility and stability are matched to process and packaging.
• Hybrid sports/energy drinks – beverages combining L-carnitine L-tartrate, taurine, caffeine, B-vitamins and minerals to support active lifestyle positioning.

Weight-management & specialised concepts

• Weight-management drinks and powders – LCLT formulated with proteins, fibres, caffeine, green tea extracts and other ingredients in products positioned around weight control and active lifestyle, within local rules.
• Nutrition bars and snacks – incorporation via premixes in bars and functional snack applications.

Formulation guidance

• L-carnitine L-tartrate dosage is determined by:
  • Product category and target consumer group,
  • Local regulatory maximum levels and notified formulations,
  • Desired on-pack positioning and claims (where permitted).
• In powders and premixes:
  • Consider particle size compatibility with other ingredients to minimise segregation,
  • Use suitable anti-caking and flow aids when required.
• In tablets and capsules:
  • Leverage LCLT’s compressibility for robust tablet formats,
  • Optimise binders and lubricants according to tableting conditions.
• In beverages and shots:
  • Introduce LCLT via controlled mixing or liquid premixes,
  • Review pH, heat treatment, storage temperature and oxygen management during development.
• Flavour and sweetening systems should be designed to balance LCLT’s acidic taste, especially at higher dosages.
• Regulatory and scientific teams must confirm authorised uses, maximum levels, labelling rules and any specific warnings or restrictions for L-carnitine L-tartrate in each destination market.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or supplement-grade L-carnitine L-tartrate with agreed specifications for assay, L-carnitine content, impurities and physical properties.
• Each batch is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a technical data sheet describing key analytical parameters and methods.
• Additional documentation can include GMO status, allergen declarations, contaminants and heavy metal data, dietary suitability (e.g. vegetarian/vegan where applicable), BSE/TSE statements, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates, depending on the selected producer and grade.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised ISO and food safety management systems (e.g. HACCP, FSSC/ISO 22000), with further certifications available on request.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, authorised use levels, labelling and claims in each destination market.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: typically 20–25 kg fibre drums, bags or cartons with inner liners to protect against moisture, dust and contamination; alternative pack sizes can be evaluated as needed.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container shipments together with other vitamins, amino acids, nutritional enhancers, sweeteners and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat, moisture and odour-intensive materials to maintain powder quality and flow properties.
• Typical shelf life is defined in the product specification and on the COA; customers should verify L-carnitine L-tartrate stability and sensory impact in their own formulations via shelf-life studies.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation coordinated from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your intended applications (sports powders, pre-workout blends, energy drinks, weight-management products, capsules/tablets, etc.), target L-carnitine level per serving, preferred carnitine forms, annual volume, packaging needs, documentation/certification requirements and destination markets. Our team will recommend suitable L-carnitine L-tartrate grades and premix concepts.