For Research Use Only
L-Carnitine 600mg/ml solution is supplied exclusively for in vitro laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. No dosing, administration, injection, or supplementation guidance is provided.
L-Carnitine 600mg/ml — 10ml Aqueous Research Solution for Carnitine Shuttle and Beta-Oxidation Studies
L-Carnitine 600mg/ml — 10ml is a research-grade aqueous solution of L-carnitine supplied for laboratory investigation of the carnitine shuttle, mitochondrial fatty-acid transport, and beta-oxidation pathway biology. Each vial contains 10ml of solution at a labelled concentration of 600mg/ml, providing a total labelled content of 6,000mg L-carnitine. The solution is supplied in a ready-to-use liquid format. Batch-specific analytical documentation is available through the AbsoluteBioLab CoA Portal.
L-Carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)butanoate) is a quaternary ammonium compound that plays an essential role in the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. The carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) system — comprising CPT1 (outer mitochondrial membrane) and CPT2 (inner mitochondrial membrane) — catalyses the conjugation and deconjugation of carnitine with fatty acyl-CoA esters, enabling their translocation into the mitochondrial matrix. L-Carnitine is used as a tool compound in research investigating mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation, cellular energy metabolism, and the biochemistry of the carnitine shuttle.
Compound Identity and Formulation
| Attribute | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common Name | L-Carnitine | 3-hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)butanoate; zwitterionic form at physiological pH |
| CAS Number | 541-15-1 | L-Carnitine (free base/zwitterion) |
| Molecular Formula | C7H15NO3 | Free base (zwitterion) |
| Molecular Weight | 161.2 Da | Free base |
| Concentration | 600mg/ml (labelled) | Verify against batch CoA |
| Fill Volume | 10ml | Total labelled content: 6,000mg L-Carnitine per vial |
| Vehicle/Solvent | Aqueous solution | Verify excipients, pH, and preservatives against batch CoA |
| Physical Form | Clear aqueous solution | Ready-to-use liquid format; not a lyophilised material |
Formulation note: L-Carnitine 600mg/ml is a finished aqueous solution, not a lyophilised powder. The applicable analytical methods and stability specifications for a finished liquid formulation differ from those used for lyophilised peptides. Researchers should verify the specific analytical methods, excipient composition, pH, and stability data against the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis before use.
Analytical Specification
| Test Parameter | Method | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | HPLC with UV detection or LC-MS | Confirmed against L-Carnitine reference standard |
| Concentration | HPLC quantification | 600mg/ml (±tolerance stated on CoA) |
| Appearance | Visual inspection | Clear, colourless to pale yellow aqueous solution |
| pH | pH meter | Stated on batch CoA |
Carnitine Shuttle Biochemistry
The carnitine shuttle is the primary mechanism by which long-chain fatty acyl-CoA esters cross the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. The process involves three steps: (1) CPT1 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, outer mitochondrial membrane) catalyses the transfer of the acyl group from acyl-CoA to carnitine, forming acylcarnitine and releasing CoA; (2) the acylcarnitine translocase (SLC25A20) transports acylcarnitine across the inner mitochondrial membrane in exchange for free carnitine; (3) CPT2 (inner mitochondrial membrane) regenerates acyl-CoA from acylcarnitine, releasing free carnitine for recycling.
L-Carnitine availability is a rate-limiting factor in the carnitine shuttle, and its concentration in the cytoplasm and mitochondrial matrix influences the rate of long-chain fatty acid oxidation. In cell-based models, L-Carnitine supplementation is used to study CPT1 and CPT2 activity, mitochondrial fatty-acid oxidation rates, and the relationship between carnitine availability and beta-oxidation flux.
Research Applications
Mitochondrial Fatty-Acid Transport Research
L-Carnitine is used as a tool compound in research investigating the carnitine palmitoyltransferase system and mitochondrial fatty-acid transport. In isolated mitochondria preparations and cell culture models, L-Carnitine is used to support or modulate fatty-acid oxidation rates as part of metabolic flux analysis experiments. These applications are relevant to research into metabolic disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the biochemistry of lipid metabolism.
Beta-Oxidation and Cellular Energy Metabolism Research
L-Carnitine is used in biochemical assay systems investigating mitochondrial beta-oxidation, fatty acid oxidation rates, and the relationship between carnitine availability and cellular ATP production. In cell culture models, L-Carnitine has been used to study the effects of carnitine availability on mitochondrial respiration, fatty acid oxidation gene expression (CPT1, ACOX1, HADHA), and the metabolic phenotype of adipocyte and hepatocyte cell lines.
Carnitine Deficiency Research Models
L-Carnitine is used in cell-based models of carnitine deficiency to study the consequences of impaired fatty-acid transport on mitochondrial function, lipid accumulation, and cellular energy homeostasis. These models are relevant to research into primary carnitine deficiency (SLC22A5 mutations), secondary carnitine deficiency, and the role of carnitine in mitochondrial disease.
Storage and Transport
| Condition | Specification |
|---|---|
| Storage (liquid solution) | 2–8°C, protected from light; do not freeze |
| Stability Period | Stated on the batch-specific CoA |
| Transit | Cold-chain packaging included |
Batch Documentation
Every batch of L-Carnitine 600mg/ml dispatched by AbsoluteBioLab is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. CoA documents are available via the Certificate of Analysis Portal. For further information on NAD+ and metabolism research compounds, refer to the Metabolism Research Compound Comparison guide and the Supplier Verification and Quality System.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Carnitine a peptide?
No. L-Carnitine is a small-molecule quaternary ammonium compound (MW 161.2 Da), not a peptide. It is a naturally occurring metabolite involved in fatty-acid transport and is supplied here as a research compound for laboratory investigation.
What is the difference between L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine?
L-Carnitine (CAS 541-15-1) is the free base form. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR, CAS 5080-50-2) is the acetylated derivative, which crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily in animal models and has distinct research applications in neuronal metabolism studies. They are not interchangeable in research applications — verify which form is required for the specific experimental context.
Where can I access the Certificate of Analysis?
Batch-specific CoA documents are available via the AbsoluteBioLab CoA Portal.
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