L-Carnitine

Description

L-Carnitine is not a peptide. It is a quaternary ammonium compound — 3-hydroxy-4-trimethylammonio-butanoate — essential to long-chain fatty acid transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Endogenous synthesis runs from lysine and methionine. The research interest in it centers on the carnitine shuttle, one of the most thoroughly characterized metabolic transport systems in biochemistry.

Proposed Mechanism

The shuttle is three enzymes: CPT1 (outer membrane), CACT (inner membrane translocase), CPT2 (inner membrane). Long-chain acyl-CoA crosses the inner mitochondrial membrane only via this shuttle; direct passage is blocked by the membrane. Fritz (1955) is the discovery paper. McGarry and Brown (1997) reviewed the shuttle biochemistry in the detail that most researchers now rely on as reference. The enzymatic logic is strict: CPT1 on the outside, CPT2 on the inside, CACT handling the translocation.

Research Literature

Fritz (1955) is the pivotal paper. McGarry and Brown (1997) reviewed the shuttle biochemistry. Rebouche (2004) reviewed carnitine metabolism and homeostasis. Longo et al. (2016, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta) covered primary and secondary carnitine deficiency in more detail. Stereochemistry matters: only L-carnitine is active in the mammalian shuttle, and D-carnitine functions as a competitive inhibitor — a detail that affects protocol design whenever racemic material is a risk.

Further reading: PubMed references for this compound.

Research Applications

Used in fatty acid beta-oxidation research, mitochondrial bioenergetics studies, CPT1/CACT/CPT2 enzyme assays, and long-chain acyl-CoA transport research. The carnitine shuttle is one of the most extensively characterized metabolic transport systems.

Supplied strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use.

Reconstitution

Supplied as a lyophilized powder. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water prior to use. Use the Peptigo reconstitution calculator for guidance on volume and concentration.

Storage

• Unopened: room temperature up to 30 days during transit; refrigerate at 2-8°C long-term.
• Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2-8°C; stable 4-6 weeks. Protect from light.

Quality Verification

Every batch is independently tested by Janoshik Analytical. Certificates of Analysis include HPLC-UV purity, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP <71> sterility testing.

Not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic. For in vitro research use only. Not for human consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this product legal to purchase in Canada for research use?

Peptigo supplies all products strictly for laboratory and in vitro research use. The compound is not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic, and is not sold for human or veterinary use. Researchers purchasing for their own laboratory work, university research programs, or independent in vitro protocols are the intended customer base. Health Canada’s April 2026 advisory specifically addresses unauthorized injectable peptide use; the research-use framing of this product is independent of that consumer-use category.

How is purity verified, and where can I see the Certificate of Analysis?

Every batch is tested independently by Janoshik Analytical, an accredited third-party laboratory. The standard testing panel includes HPLC-UV purity verification, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP sterility testing. The Certificate of Analysis for each batch is available on the product page after purchase, and the testing methodology is detailed on the Lab Testing reference page.

What is the standard reconstitution and storage protocol for laboratory use?

The compound is supplied as a lyophilized powder. The standard diluent for reconstitution in research protocols is bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol). The Peptigo reconstitution calculator handles the volume-and-concentration arithmetic for a given target research dose. Unopened lyophilized peptide is stable at room temperature for up to 30 days during transit and should be refrigerated at 2-8°C for long-term storage. Reconstituted peptide should be refrigerated at 2-8°C and is typically functional for 4-6 weeks; protect from light.