L-Citrulline
Amino Acids
Nutritional Enhancers
372-75-8
C₆H₁₃N₃O₃
$7.34 ~ $11.01
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
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Product Info
What is L-Citrulline?
L-Citrulline is a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid often used as a dietary supplement to enhance nitric oxide production and improve athletic performance.
How is L-Citrulline made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medium Preparation | Prepare a fermentation medium containing a carbon source (e.g., glucose), a nitrogen source, minerals, and growth factors. The medium is then sterilized. | Complete sterilization is critical to prevent contamination. The nutrient composition must be precisely controlled for optimal yield. |
| 2 | Seed Culture & Inoculation | A pure, high-activity strain of a specific microorganism (e.g., a mutant of Corynebacterium glutamicum) is cultivated in a small seed tank and then transferred to the main fermenter. | Maintain strict aseptic conditions during transfer. The health and density of the seed culture directly impact the fermentation's success and duration. |
| 3 | Microbial Fermentation | The microorganism grows in the large fermenter, consuming the nutrients in the medium and excreting L-Citrulline into the broth. | Continuously monitor and control critical parameters: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and agitation speed. The fermentation is stopped at the point of maximum L-Citrulline concentration. |
| 4 | Cell Separation | The fermentation broth, containing L-Citrulline and microbial cells, is processed to remove the cells and other solid matter. | Typically performed using centrifugation or microfiltration. The goal is to obtain a clear, cell-free supernatant to simplify the subsequent purification steps. |
| 5 | Purification (Ion Exchange) | The clear broth is passed through an ion-exchange chromatography column. L-Citrulline binds to the resin, while impurities are washed away. A different solution is then used to elute the purified L-Citrulline. | This is the primary purification step. The selection of resin and control of pH and flow rates are crucial for achieving high purity and recovery rate. |
| 6 | Concentration & Crystallization | The purified L-Citrulline solution is concentrated under vacuum to increase its saturation. The solution is then cooled under controlled conditions to form crystals. | Concentration under vacuum prevents heat degradation. The cooling rate is carefully managed to control crystal size and purity. |
| 7 | Drying & Sieving | The wet L-Citrulline crystals are separated from the liquid (e.g., by centrifuge) and then dried in a controlled environment (e.g., vacuum dryer). The dried powder is sieved for uniform particle size. | Drying must achieve the target low moisture content without degrading the product. Sieving ensures the product meets physical specifications. |
| 8 | Final QC & Packaging | The final L-Citrulline powder is tested for identity, purity (assay), heavy metals, and microbiological contamination before being packaged into sealed, food-grade containers. | Product must meet pre-defined specifications (e.g., USP, FCC, JP). Proper packaging is essential to protect against moisture and contamination. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 372-75-8 |
| Chemical Formula | C₆H₁₃N₃O₃ |
| Solubility | Clear and colourless |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry, dark; ≤25 °C |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Food/beverage color/supplement
sports nutrition
cardiovascular/support
diagnostics
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | L-Citrulline |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutritional Fortificant; Nitric Oxide Precursor; Flavor Enhancer; Bitterness Blocker. |
| Key Ingredients | L-Citrulline (an alpha-amino acid). |
| Mechanism of Action | Acts as a metabolic intermediate in the urea cycle, serving as a biological precursor to L-arginine. This increases plasma L-arginine levels, which is the substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator. As a flavor modulator, it interacts with taste receptors to mask bitter notes and enhance savory (umami) or sweet profiles. |
| Application Effect in Product | Improves the sensory profile of functional foods and beverages by reducing bitterness from other ingredients like vitamins, minerals, or plant extracts. Fortifies nutritional products, particularly sports supplements, to support physiological claims related to blood flow and exercise performance. Contributes a mild, clean taste profile without adding significant sweetness or sourness. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-Citrulline | Amino Acid / Nitric Oxide Precursor | Pure amino acid that converts to L-Arginine in the kidneys, bypassing liver breakdown. | Superior bioavailability and absorption compared to L-Arginine for raising plasma arginine levels. Simple, single-ingredient focus. | Lacks the potential energy-production benefit of malate; slower onset than some alternatives. | Sustained endurance, cardiovascular health, reducing muscle soreness, general blood flow enhancement. | For a pure, highly effective nitric oxide boost without added compounds, focusing on blood flow and endurance. |
| Citrulline Malate | Bonded Amino Acid / Performance Supplement | L-Citrulline bonded with malic acid, typically in a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio. | Malic acid may aid in ATP (energy) production and lactate buffering, providing a dual benefit for performance. Most researched form for athletic power and fatigue reduction. | Requires a higher dose to get an equivalent amount of pure L-Citrulline. The contribution of malate is debated by some. | Pre-workout for resistance training and high-intensity sports to improve performance, pump, and reduce fatigue. | When the primary goal is acute athletic performance, seeking both a pump and potential energy benefits. |
| L-Arginine | Amino Acid / Nitric Oxide Precursor | A semi-essential amino acid that is a direct precursor to nitric oxide. | Historically well-known and often less expensive than citrulline. | Poor oral bioavailability due to significant breakdown by the liver (first-pass effect). Can cause gastrointestinal distress at effective doses. | Topical applications; individuals who are budget-constrained and respond to it despite bioavailability issues. | If budget is the primary driver and you find it effective, though L-Citrulline is clinically superior for oral use. |
| Beetroot Extract | Natural Nitrate Source / Vasodilator | Provides dietary nitrates which are converted in the body to nitric oxide via a different pathway (nitrate-nitrite-NO). | Natural, whole-food based source; provides antioxidants and other micronutrients. Pathway is complementary to the arginine-citrulline pathway. | Potency and nitrate content can vary significantly between products. Strong, earthy taste. Can cause beeturia (red urine/stools). | Daily cardiovascular and blood pressure support; endurance activities like running or cycling; users preferring natural supplements. | For a whole-food approach to enhancing blood flow and endurance, especially for cardiovascular health. |
| Agmatine Sulfate | Arginine Metabolite / Neuromodulator | A metabolite of L-Arginine. Primarily works by modulating nitric oxide synthase and inhibiting enzymes that break down NO. | Prolongs the effects of nitric oxide rather than directly producing it, leading to a sustained pump. May have nootropic/mood benefits. | Not a direct NO precursor. Less research on direct performance benefits compared to citrulline. | Stacking with a direct NO precursor like L-Citrulline to extend its effects; focus on muscle fullness and mind-muscle connection. | To enhance and prolong the vascular effects of other pump ingredients, rather than as a primary NO booster. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
COA, MSDS, technical dossier
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Provided
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications