Glycine
Amino Acids
Nutritional Enhancers
Flavoring Agents
Sweeteners
56-40-6
C₂H₅NO₂
$5.94 ~ $8.91
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/bag
Product Info
What is Glycine?
Glycine is the simplest non-essential amino acid, primarily used as a flavoring agent to impart a sweet taste, and as a buffer or stabilizing agent in food and beverages.
How is Glycine made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synthesis (Strecker Reaction) | Reacting formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia under controlled conditions. This forms the intermediate, aminoacetonitrile. | Note: This is the core synthesis step. Extreme caution is required when handling highly toxic raw materials like hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Control Point: Precise control of reactant molar ratios, temperature (50-60°C), and pressure is critical for maximizing yield. |
| 2 | Hydrolysis | The aminoacetonitrile intermediate is hydrolyzed using a strong acid or base to convert the nitrile group into a carboxylic acid, forming a solution of crude glycine salt. | Note: This reaction is typically exothermic and requires careful heat management. Ammonia gas is released as a by-product. Control Point: The reaction temperature (~100°C) and duration must be strictly monitored to ensure complete hydrolysis. |
| 3 | Neutralization & Precipitation | The acidic or basic glycine solution is carefully neutralized. The pH is adjusted to the isoelectric point of glycine (approx. pH 6.0), causing the less soluble glycine to precipitate out as a solid. | Note: This step isolates the crude product from the solution. Control Point: Accurate, slow pH adjustment is crucial. Over- or under-shooting the isoelectric point will significantly reduce the product yield. |
| 4 | Purification & Recrystallization | The crude glycine is filtered and then re-dissolved in hot, purified water. The solution may be treated with activated carbon to remove color and impurities, filtered again, and then slowly cooled to form pure glycine crystals. | Note: This is a critical step for achieving food or pharma-grade purity. Control Point: The rate of cooling directly impacts crystal size and purity. Using high-purity deionized water is essential. |
| 5 | Separation & Washing | The pure glycine crystals are separated from the mother liquor using industrial centrifuges or filtration systems. The resulting crystal cake is washed with cold deionized water to remove any remaining soluble impurities. | Note: The mother liquor may be recycled to recover more product. Control Point: Wash water must be cold to minimize product loss through re-dissolving. Centrifuge speed and time are set to achieve a specific cake moisture level. |
| 6 | Drying | The washed, pure glycine crystals are transferred to a vacuum or fluidized bed dryer to remove all residual moisture. | Note: Proper drying prevents clumping and ensures stability. Control Point: Drying temperature must be kept below the decomposition point of glycine (e.g., below 80°C). The final product must meet a strict moisture content specification (e.g., <0.2%). |
| 7 | Sieving & Packaging | The dried glycine is passed through sieves to ensure a uniform particle size. It undergoes final quality analysis before being packaged into sealed, food-grade bags or containers. | Note: Final QC checks confirm purity, appearance, and physical properties against specifications. Control Point: The packaging area must be a controlled, clean environment to prevent contamination. Metal detection is a common final check point. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 56-40-6 |
| Chemical Formula | C₂H₅NO₂ |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol |
| Storage Conditions | Store in a cool, dry place, sealed, away from light |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
food
feed
pharmaceutical
cosmetics
flavoring agent
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Glycine |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Flavor Enhancer; Masking Agent; pH Buffering Agent; Nutrient Supplement |
| Key Ingredients | Glycine (Aminoacetic Acid) |
| Mechanism of Action | Possesses an inherent sweet taste that rounds out flavor profiles and masks bitter or metallic aftertastes from other ingredients (e.g., potassium chloride, saccharin). As a simple amino acid with both acidic and basic functional groups, it acts as a buffering agent to stabilize pH. Participates in the Maillard reaction with reducing sugars to generate desirable brown pigments and savory flavor compounds. |
| Application Effect in Product | Enhanced palatability and reduced off-notes in beverages and processed foods. Improved flavor profile in savory products like broths and sauces. Stabilized pH in dressings and pickled products, extending shelf life. Contributes to color and aroma development in baked goods and cooked meats. Mitigates the astringency of some preservatives. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycine | Amino Acid Supplement | Inhibitory neurotransmitter; collagen precursor; lowers core body temperature. | Non-hormonal and non-sedative; improves sleep quality without causing grogginess; supports joint and skin health. | Requires a high dose (3-5g); effects are more subtle than pharmaceutical aids; primarily improves sleep quality, not sleep onset speed. | Improving deep sleep, reducing nighttime awakenings, calming the nervous system, supplementing collagen production. | For a gentle, multi-benefit approach to better sleep quality without the side effects of hormones or sedatives. |
| L-Theanine | Amino Acid Supplement | Promotes alpha brain waves; found in green tea; synergistic with caffeine. | Induces relaxation without drowsiness; can be used during the day for calm focus; fast-acting. | Not a strong sedative; less effective for inducing sleep than for reducing anxiety before sleep. | Reducing daily stress and anxiety, improving focus, easing into sleep gently, counteracting caffeine jitters. | To promote relaxation and calm, either during the day or before bed, without causing sleepiness. |
| Magnesium Glycinate | Mineral Supplement | Highly bioavailable form of magnesium bound to glycine; essential mineral for nerve function. | Addresses common mineral deficiencies; excellent for muscle relaxation and reducing physical tension; very low risk of digestive issues. | Benefits are most significant for those with insufficient magnesium intake; not a direct sleep-inducing agent. | General relaxation, reducing muscle cramps or tension that interferes with sleep, supporting nervous system health. | If sleep issues are accompanied by muscle tension, stress, or a suspected magnesium deficiency. |
| Melatonin | Hormone Supplement | Regulates the body's circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). | Very effective for sleep-onset issues (difficulty falling asleep); useful for jet lag and shift work adjustment. | Can cause morning grogginess or vivid dreams; may disrupt the body's own hormone production with long-term use. | Difficulty falling asleep, resetting a disrupted sleep schedule (jet lag), circadian rhythm disorders. | When the primary problem is falling asleep at a consistent time, requiring a direct signal to the brain to initiate sleep. |
| GABA | Neurotransmitter Supplement | Direct form of the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. | Can provide a direct and noticeable calming effect for some individuals. | Bioavailability is debated; its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier effectively is questionable, leading to inconsistent results. | Promoting a state of calm, potentially reducing acute feelings of stress before bed. | To experiment with directly supplementing the calming neurotransmitter, if other options are ineffective. |
| 5-HTP | Amino Acid Derivative | A precursor to serotonin, which is then converted to melatonin. | Can support both mood and sleep by increasing serotonin and melatonin production. | Cannot be taken with SSRIs; may cause nausea; potential for serotonin syndrome if misused. | For individuals with co-occurring low mood and sleep difficulties. | To support the body's natural production of key mood and sleep regulators from a single precursor. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA, Specification Sheet
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Available on request
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications