Acetyl L-Carnitine HCl (ALC HCl) · Functional Amino Acid for Cognitive & Energy Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: (R)-3-acetyloxy-4-trimethylammonio-butanoate chloride (acetyl L-carnitine hydrochloride).
• Common names: acetyl L-carnitine, ALC, acetylcarnitine, acetyl L-carnitine HCl, ALC HCl.
• Form: typically a white, crystalline powder with a characteristic mildly acidic/salty taste.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water, enabling use in RTM powders, shots, liquid concentrates and syrups.
• Stability:
  • Good stability in dry form under cool, dry conditions,
  • In aqueous systems, stability depends on pH, temperature, ionic strength and co-ingredients; slightly acidic environments are typically preferred.
• Functional positioning:
  • Used as a functional amino acid & carnitine derivative in cognitive, energy and active-lifestyle supplements,
  • Frequently combined with other amino acids, B-vitamins, caffeine, omega-3s, phospholipids and botanicals in adult-focused systems, where permitted.
• Regulatory status:
  • Permitted uses, maximum levels and target populations are market- and category-specific,
  • Any cognitive, memory, mood, weight management, energy or performance-related claims must follow local nutrition and health claim legislation and applicable scientific opinions.

Atlas supports customers in positioning ALC HCl within evidence-informed cognitive and active-lifestyle concepts, ensuring ingredient quality, dosage and processing conditions remain aligned with regulatory frameworks.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are defined per project and supplier. Typical food/nutrition-grade ALC HCl parameters include:

• Assay (acetyl L-carnitine HCl): usually ≥ 98.0–99.0% on dried basis.
• Appearance: 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 solution): controlled and consistent with agreed specification; relevant for beverage and RTM system design.
• Loss on drying: limited to maintain assay accuracy, flowability and compressibility.
• Residue on ignition / sulphated ash: low values in line with high-purity amino acid derivatives.
• Heavy metals & selected elements: restricted to meet food and supplement regulations.
• Related substances (including D-carnitine and other impurities): strictly limited according to internal and pharmacopeial-style criteria.
• Residual solvents: monitored and kept within regulatory thresholds or at “not detected” levels depending on the grade.
• Microbiological profile: low counts suitable for capsules, tablets, RTM powders and beverage applications.
• Particle size distribution: grades optimised for powder blends, encapsulation, tableting and rapid dissolution.

Each batch is delivered 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, residual solvent information, origin and Halal/Kosher certificates) can be supplied from approved ALC HCl manufacturers to support audits, registrations and regulatory dossiers.

Cognitive & active-lifestyle supplements*

• Cognitive & focus capsules/tablets* – ALC HCl is often combined with B-vitamins, choline sources, phospholipids (e.g. phosphatidylserine), omega-3s and botanical extracts in adult-oriented cognitive formulas, where permitted.
• Active-lifestyle & “brain & body” concepts* – incorporated into multi-nutrient products targeting busy professionals and students, together with amino acids, vitamins, minerals and plant extracts.
• RTM cognitive drinks & shots* – ALC HCl is used in powdered drinks and ready-to-drink shots formulated for adult consumers, with careful pH and flavour design.

*Cognitive and mood-related concepts must follow local regulations on authorised nutrition and health claims, target population and safety assessments.

Sports & energy nutrition

• Pre-workout & energy capsules – ALC HCl is used alongside caffeine, amino acids, creatine, B-vitamins and plant extracts in sports and energy supplements.
• RTM energy & sports drinks – its high water solubility makes ALC HCl suitable for powdered drink mixes for active adults, together with electrolytes, vitamins and functional ingredients.
• Active-lifestyle shots & concentrates – included in small-volume shots or concentrated syrups that are diluted before consumption, where permitted.

Weight management & metabolic concepts*

• Weight management capsules & tablets* – ALC HCl is sometimes combined with green tea extract, caffeine, plant fibres, chromium and B-vitamins in adult-focused products.
• Meal replacement & diet shakes* – used in portion-controlled shakes and RTM powders containing proteins, fibres, vitamins and minerals.

*Weight management applications should strictly comply with local regulations on permitted usage levels, claims, target populations and mandatory warnings.

Specialised, clinical & other nutrition*

• Specialised & clinical nutrition* – ALC HCl may be used under medical and regulatory supervision in certain specialised or clinical nutrition formulas, depending on market-specific rules and scientific guidance.
• Active-aging concepts* – included in adult/active-aging supplement systems together with omega-3s, vitamins, minerals and botanical extracts, where permitted.

*Any clinical or condition-specific use must be developed with medical, scientific and regulatory experts and comply with category-specific legislation.

Formulation guidance

• Dosage design:
  • Dosage is typically declared as mg acetyl L-carnitine per serving, sometimes expressed in terms of ALC HCl content,
  • Permitted daily intakes depend on local regulations, product category (food vs. supplement vs. clinical) and target population.
• Solubility, pH & processing:
  • ALC HCl dissolves readily in water and is usually added via premixes, syrups or direct dosing to process water.
  • In beverages, attention should be given to pH (often slightly acidic), heat treatment and storage conditions to maintain stability and sensory quality.
• Sensory & flavour:
  • ALC HCl can contribute a noticeable sour/salty note at higher doses; suitable flavour systems and sweeteners (e.g. citrus, berry, tropical) are recommended.
  • For high-load powders and shots, advanced flavour masking strategies may be needed.
• Compatibility with other ingredients:
  • Generally compatible with proteins, amino acids, B-vitamins, caffeine, minerals and plant extracts in dry systems.
  • In liquid systems, potential interactions with minerals, sweeteners, acidulants and preservatives should be evaluated in stability and sensory trials.
• Regulatory & labelling:
  • Manufacturers must confirm the permitted status and maximum levels of ALC/L-carnitine in foods and supplements in each destination market.
  • Any cognitive, energy, metabolism, performance or weight-management claims must be based on locally approved claim wording and substantiation.
  • Labels should clearly declare acetyl L-carnitine content per serving and, where required, include adult-only usage, daily intake guidance and warnings, especially when combined with caffeine or other actives.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food or nutrition-grade acetyl L-carnitine HCl with agreed specifications for assay, optical purity, residual solvents, related substances and microbiological quality.
• Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a detailed technical data sheet outlining key 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 the selected 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, claim wording, 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 safe handling. Alternative formats can be evaluated for specific projects.
• Suitable for full-container or mixed-container loads together with other amino acids, carnitine derivatives, 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 should validate ALC content, physical properties and flavour behaviour in their own formulations and 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 (cognitive supplements, energy products, sports nutrition, weight management, active-lifestyle or specialised nutrition), target acetyl L-carnitine level per serving, formulation format (capsule, tablet, RTM powder, shot, RTD drink, etc.), preferred carnitine forms (ALC HCl, L-carnitine, tartrate, fumarate), co-ingredients (proteins, amino acids, caffeine, phospholipids, omega-3s, 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 ALC HCl grades and system concepts for your projects.