L-Carnitine Fumarate · Stable Carnitine Salt for Supplements & Sports Nutrition

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: L-carnitine fumarate, a salt of L-carnitine and fumaric acid.
• Form: typically a white or almost white, crystalline powder or granules with good flow characteristics.
• Solubility: freely or readily soluble in water, suitable for use in powders, capsules and selected beverages or shots.
• Taste profile: mildly acidic with a characteristic tart note; flavour design helps integrate the profile in finished products.
• Function: used as a functional nutrient in products positioned around energy, fat metabolism and active lifestyle, within applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Comparison with other carnitine forms:
  • Versus L-carnitine base: often offers improved stability and lower hygroscopicity in dry blends, with defined carnitine content.
  • Versus L-carnitine L-tartrate: similar use in sports and supplement formats, selection depends on regulatory preferences, sensory profile and formulation history.
  • Versus acetyl-L-carnitine: fumarate is typically preferred for general sports and weight-management supplements, while acetyl-L-carnitine is often used in cognitive-oriented formulas.
• Compatibility: generally compatible with B-vitamins, amino acids, caffeine, taurine, minerals, plant extracts and sweeteners used in sports and weight-management formulations.

Atlas supports customers in selecting the optimal carnitine form and grade based on dosage form, desired claims, sensory targets and regulatory expectations.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are developed for each project and application. Typical food and supplement-grade L-carnitine fumarate parameters include:

• Assay: generally around 97.0–102.0% L-carnitine fumarate (on dried basis), with declared carnitine content per 100 g of product.
• Appearance: white to almost white, crystalline powder or granules, free from visible foreign matter.
• Identification tests: confirm L-carnitine and fumarate 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 specifications and applicable regulations.
• pH (in solution): within agreed range suitable for supplement and beverage applications.
• Related substances and organic impurities: controlled to meet food and supplement safety standards.
• Heavy metals and specific contaminants: limited to comply with global and local safety requirements.
• Microbiological profile: aligned with good manufacturing practice, with tighter limits available for specialised nutrition concepts where needed.

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 certificates) can be provided from approved producers and adapted to destination market expectations.

Sports nutrition & active lifestyle

• Pre-workout and performance powders – L-carnitine fumarate included with BCAAs, beta-alanine, caffeine, taurine and electrolytes in multi-ingredient blends.
• Intra- and post-workout drinks – used in powders for reconstitution where L-carnitine contributes to broader performance positioning.
• Active lifestyle daily mixes – powders in sticks or tubs designed for once- or twice-daily consumption as part of wellness routines.

Weight-management & wellness supplements

• Weight-management blends – L-carnitine fumarate combined with L-carnitine base, caffeine, green tea extracts, fibres and other actives, within regulatory limits for the category.
• Meal-replacement and high-protein shakes – used via premixes in powders formulated for controlled energy intake and active lifestyles.
• Nutrition bars and snacks – incorporated through premixes in cereal and protein bar concepts.

General dietary supplements

• Tablets and coated tablets – L-carnitine fumarate pressed alone or with other actives into single- or multi-ingredient tablets.
• Hard capsules – powder-filled capsules containing L-carnitine fumarate as a primary or supporting ingredient.
• Powder sachets and sticks – single-serve portions for direct consumption or mixing with water or juices.

Formulation guidance

• L-carnitine fumarate dosage is determined by:
  • Product category and target consumers,
  • Local regulatory maximum levels and notified formulations,
  • Desired on-pack positioning and claims (where permitted).
• In powders and premixes:
  • Match particle size distribution with other ingredients to reduce segregation,
  • Consider anti-caking and flow aids where moisture pick-up is a concern.
• In tablets and capsules:
  • Leverage L-carnitine fumarate’s compressibility for robust tablet cores,
  • Optimise binders, disintegrants and lubricants to achieve the desired hardness and disintegration profile.
• In beverage powders and shots:
  • Introduce via premixes or direct powder addition under controlled mixing,
  • Check pH, heat treatment and storage conditions for stability and taste performance.
• Flavour and sweetness systems should be adjusted to manage the slightly acidic, tart taste of the fumarate salt at higher dosages.
• Regulatory and scientific teams must confirm authorised uses, maximum levels, labelling rules and any specific warnings for L-carnitine fumarate and carnitine ingredients in each destination market.