DL-Carnitine

DL-Carnitine (CAS 406-76-8) is a racemic amino acid derivative also known under trade names including Carnum, Miocor, Miotonal, Novaine, and Carrier. It is the synthetic form of carnitine, comprising equal parts of the D- and L-enantiomers, and carries no assigned E-code as a food additive in the EU.

In pharmaceutical formulations, DL-Carnitine functions as an antioxidant and cellular stabilizer, helping to protect against oxidative degradation in injectable and oral dosage forms. In animal feed applications, it supports fatty acid transport across mitochondrial membranes, improving energy metabolism in livestock and aquaculture species. It is also incorporated into cosmetic formulations targeting skin conditioning.

DL-Carnitine is available in pharmaceutical-grade (Ph.Eur.-aligned) and feed-grade specifications. It is subject to REACH registration requirements for EU-based supply chains. Typical packaging formats include multi-kilogram fiber drums and bags suited to bulk procurement by formulators and manufacturers.