L-Carnitine Tartrate is a salt of L-carnitine and tartaric acid, known for its high solubility and bioavailability. L-carnitine is a compound derived from the amino acids lysine and methionine, essential for the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrion, where they are oxidized to produce energy. L-carnitine tartrate is widely used in dietary supplements, especially among athletes and those looking to improve physical performance and weight loss.
Composition. L-carnitine tartrate combines L-carnitine, a non-essential amino acid, with tartaric acid, a natural antioxidant. This combination enhances the stability and absorption of L-carnitine in the body.
Chemical Industrial Synthesis Process
The production of L-Carnitine Tartrate, a salt of the amino acid L-Carnitine and tartaric acid, primarily used for its properties related to energy metabolism and sports performance, follows a detailed process that involves chemical synthesis and salt formation. Here is a detailed overview of the process.
- Synthesis of L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is synthesized through a process that involves the reaction between epichlorohydrin and trimethylamine, followed by further steps of hydrolysis and neutralization to obtain the L-Carnitine base.
- Preparation of Tartaric Acid. Tartaric acid, a natural organic acid, is prepared or purchased in its pure form. This acid is known for its ability to form stable salts with various organic substances, including L-Carnitine.
- Formation of L-Carnitine Tartrate Salt. The L-Carnitine base is reacted with tartaric acid under controlled conditions to form the L-Carnitine Tartrate salt. This process requires the accurate adjustment of the molar ratio between the reactants and the pH of the solution.
- Crystallization and Purification. L-Carnitine Tartrate is then crystallized from the solution and purified through techniques such as filtration and drying to remove residual moisture, yielding the final product in solid form.
- Quality Control. The purified L-Carnitine Tartrate undergoes rigorous quality control checks to verify its purity, chemical composition, and physical properties. These checks can include spectroscopy, chromatography, and solubility tests.
What it is for and where
L-Carnitine Tartrate is a form of L-Carnitine often used in dietary supplements and sports nutrition products to support energy metabolism and physical performance.
Medical
Metabolic Properties. It facilitates the transport of fatty acids into the cells' mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. This process is crucial for energy metabolism, especially during physical exercise.
L-carnitine tartrate supplements have gained popularity among athletes for their ability to reduce fatigue (1) and improve sports performance. In addition, they may contribute to weight loss by increasing fatty acid oxidation (2). It may help reduce post-workout muscle damage by accelerating muscle recovery and decreasing muscle soreness. Other studies find that L-Carnitine tartrate supplementation to athletes does not affect whole body substrate utilization (3).
Cardiovascular Support. Some studies suggest that L-carnitine may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health (4), improving blood flow and reducing markers of oxidative stress.
Dosage and Intake. The recommended dosage of L-carnitine tartrate can vary depending on the individual and the desired goal. It is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage.
Safety
Generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses, but consulting a healthcare professional before starting supplementation is advisable, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
Molecular Formula C18H36N2O12
Molecular Weight 472.5 g/mol
CAS 36687-82-8
UNII 4D8F2Q45LQ
EC Number 459-550-9
DTXSID501018114
Synonyms
- L-Carnitine-L-tartrate
- LEVOCARNITINE TARTRATE
- FEMA NO. 4906
- 3-Carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-prop- anaminium inner salt tartrate
Bibliografia_____________________________________________________________________
(1) Stefan M, Sharp M, Gheith R, Lowery R, Ottinger C, Wilson J, Durkee S, Bellamine A. L-Carnitine Tartrate Supplementation for 5 Weeks Improves Exercise Recovery in Men and Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 28;13(10):3432. doi: 10.3390/nu13103432.
Abstract. L-carnitine tartrate has been shown to improve relatively short-term recovery among athletes. However, there is a lack of research on the longer-term effects in the general population. Objective: The primary objectives of this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were to evaluate the effects of daily L-carnitine tartrate supplementation for 5 weeks on recovery and fatigue....Conclusions: These findings agree with previous observations among healthy adult subjects and demonstrate that L-carnitine tartrate supplementation beyond 35 days is beneficial for improving recovery and reducing fatigue following exercise across gender and age.
(2) Galloway SD, Craig TP, Cleland SJ. Effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on insulin sensitivity indices in response to glucose feeding in lean and overweight/obese males. Amino Acids. 2011 Jul;41(2):507-15. doi: 10.1007/s00726-010-0770-5.
Abstract. Infusion of carnitine has been observed to increase non-oxidative glucose disposal in several studies, but the effect of oral carnitine on glucose disposal in non-diabetic lean versus overweight/obese humans has not been examined. This study examined the effects of 14 days of L-carnitine L-tartrate oral supplementation (LC) on blood glucose, insulin, NEFA and GLP-1 responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Sixteen male participants were recruited [lean (n = 8) and overweight/obese (n = 8)]. After completing a submaximal predictive exercise test, participants were asked to attend three experimental sessions. These three visits were conducted in the morning to obtain fasting blood samples and to conduct 2 h OGTTs. The first visit was a familiarisation trial and the final two visits were conducted 2 weeks apart following 14 days of ingestion of placebo (PL, 3 g glucose/day) and then LC (3 g LC/day) ingested as two capsules 3×/day with meals. On each visit, blood was drawn at rest, at intervals during the OGTT for analysis of glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and total glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Data obtained were used for determination of usual insulin sensitivity indices (HOMA-IR, AUC glucose, AUC insulin, 1st phase and 2nd phase β-cell function, estimated insulin sensitivity index and estimated metabolic clearance rate). Data were analysed using RMANOVA and post hoc comparisons where appropriate. There was a significant difference between groups for body mass, % fat and BMI with no significant difference in age and height. Mean (SEM) plasma glucose concentration at 30 min was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the lean group on the LC trial compared with PL [8.71(0.70) PL; 7.32(0.36) LC; mmol/L]. Conversely, plasma glucose concentration was not different at 30 min, but was significantly higher at 90 min (p < 0.05) in the overweight/obese group on the LC trial [5.09(0.41) PL; 7.11(0.59) LC; mmol/L]. Estimated first phase and second phase β-cell function both tended to be greater following LC in the lean group only. No effects of LC were observed on NEFA or total GLP-1 response to OGTT. It is concluded that LC supplementation induces changes in blood glucose handling/disposal during an OGTT, which is not influenced by GLP-1. The glucose handling/disposal response to oral LC is different between lean and overweight/obese suggesting that further investigation is required. LC effects on gastric emptying and/or direct 'insulin-like' actions on tissues should be examined in larger samples of overweight/obese and lean participants, respectively.
(3) Broad EM, Maughan RJ, Galloway S DR. Effects of exercise intensity and altered substrate availability on cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise after oral carnitine supplementation in athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011 Oct;21(5):385-97. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.21.5.385.
Abstract. The effects of 15 d of supplementation with L-carnitine L-tartrate (LC) on metabolic responses to graded-intensity exercise under conditions of altered substrate availability were examined. Fifteen endurance-trained male athletes undertook exercise trials after a 2-d high-carbohydrate diet (60% CHO, 25% fat) at baseline (D0), on Day 14 (D14), and after a single day of high fat intake (15% CHO, 70% fat) on Day 15 (D15) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, pair-matched design. Treatment consisted of 3 g LC (2 g L-carnitine/d; n = 8) or placebo (P, n = 7) for 15 d. Exercise trials consisted of 80 min of continuous cycling comprising 20-min periods at each of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% VO2peak. There was no significant difference between whole-body rates of CHO and fat oxidation at any workload between D0 and D14 trials for either the P or LC group. Both groups displayed increased fat and reduced carbohydrate oxidation between the D14 and D15 trials (p < .05). During the D15 trial, heart rate (p < .05 for 20%, 40%, and 60% workloads) and blood glucose concentration (p < .05 for 40% and 60% workloads) were lower during exercise in the LC group than in P. These responses suggest that LC may induce subtle changes in substrate handling in metabolically active tissues when fatty-acid availability is increased, but it does not affect whole-body substrate utilization during short-duration exercise at the intensities studied.
(4) Volek JS, Judelson DA, Silvestre R, Yamamoto LM, Spiering BA, Hatfield DL, Vingren JL, Quann EE, Anderson JM, Maresh CM, Kraemer WJ. Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adults. Am J Cardiol. 2008 Nov 15;102(10):1413-7. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.07.022.
Abstract. Because carnitine has been shown to decrease oxidative stress and improve endothelial cell functioning, we examined the effects of carnitine supplementation on postprandial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and circulating biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress after a high-fat meal. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design was used. Thirty men and women (age 30 +/- 8 year, body mass 72.9 +/- 17.1 kg, body fat 13.0 +/- 6.4%) participated in 2 vascular testing days, each preceded by 3 weeks of supplementation with either 2 g/day of L-Carnitine (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate) or placebo with a 3- to 5-week washout period between trials. Brachial artery FMD in response to 5 minutes of upper arm occlusion and circulating markers of oxidative stress and inflammation were measured in the fasting state and after a standardized high-fat meal. After 3 weeks of supplementation, peak FMD in the fasting state was similar between the carnitine and placebo trials, averaging 6.6%. Peak FMD during the postprandial period decreased to 5.8% at 1.5 hours during placebo and increased to 7.7% during the carnitine trial (n = 30: p = 0.043 for supplement by time interaction effect). This improvement in postprandial vascular function was most dramatic in subjects who showed a decrease in peak FMD in response to the meal (n = 15: p = 0.003 for supplement by time interaction effect). There was a significant increase in postprandial lipemia and plasma interleukin-6 but no effect of supplementation. There were no significant postprandial changes or supplement effects for plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and malondialdehyde. In conclusion, consistent with other work showing a beneficial effect of carnitine on vascular function, these findings indicate that carnitine supplementation in healthy individuals improves postprandial FMD after a high-fat meal.
L-Carnitine tartrate 
