L-Threonine
Amino Acids
Nutritional Enhancers
72-19-5
C₄H₉NO₃
$2.27 ~ $3.41
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is L-Threonine?
L-Threonine is an essential $alpha$-amino acid crucial for protein synthesis and immune function that is primarily utilized commercially as a nutritional supplement in human food, infant formula, and livestock feed.
How is L-Threonine made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inoculum Development | Cultivate a high-yield microbial strain (e.g., genetically modified E. coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum) to create a starter "seed" culture. | Strain Purity & Activity: Essential to start with a pure, high-producing culture free from contamination to ensure final product quality and yield. |
| 2 | Medium Preparation & Sterilization | Prepare a nutrient-rich medium (containing a carbon source like glucose, a nitrogen source, and minerals). Sterilize the medium with high-temperature steam. | Complete Sterilization: The medium must be 100% sterile to prevent competing microorganisms from growing during fermentation. Temperature and time (e.g., 121°C) are critical parameters. |
| 3 | Fermentation | Inoculate the sterile medium with the seed culture in a large-scale fermenter. The microbes consume the nutrients and excrete L-Threonine. | pH, Temperature, & Dissolved Oxygen: These must be continuously monitored and tightly controlled within optimal ranges to maximize the metabolic activity of the microbes for L-Threonine production. |
| 4 | Cell Separation (Harvesting) | Separate the microbial cells (biomass) from the fermentation broth, which now contains the dissolved L-Threonine, typically using centrifugation or microfiltration. | Clarity of Broth: The goal is to obtain a cell-free supernatant. Incomplete separation can clog downstream purification equipment and reduce purity. |
| 5 | Purification (Ion Exchange) | Pass the cell-free broth through an ion-exchange chromatography column. L-Threonine binds to the resin while impurities are washed away. | Column Loading & Elution pH: The pH of the broth and the eluting solution must be precise to ensure selective binding and release of L-Threonine from the resin, which is the primary purification step. |
| 6 | Concentration & Decolorization | Treat the purified L-Threonine solution with activated carbon to remove color impurities, then concentrate it by removing water via vacuum evaporation. | Temperature & Vacuum Level: Low-temperature evaporation is crucial to prevent thermal degradation of the L-Threonine. The correct dose of activated carbon is needed to decolorize without adsorbing the product. |
| 7 | Crystallization | Cool the highly concentrated, pure L-Threonine solution under controlled conditions to induce the formation of solid crystals. | Cooling Rate: A slow and controlled cooling profile is vital for growing large, pure, and uniform crystals. Rapid cooling can trap impurities. |
| 8 | Drying & Sieving | Separate the crystals from the remaining liquid (mother liquor) by centrifugation and then dry them in a fluid bed or vacuum dryer. Sieve the powder to a uniform size. | Final Moisture Content: The product must be dried to a specific low moisture level (e.g., <1.0%) for long-term stability and to prevent caking. Sieve mesh size ensures product specification compliance. |
| 9 | Quality Control & Packaging | Conduct final analysis (e.g., via HPLC) to verify purity, assay, and other quality parameters. Package the finished product into sealed, labeled containers. | Assay & Purity Verification: The final product must be tested against established specifications (e.g., USP, FCC) to confirm it is >98.5% pure. Package integrity is critical to prevent moisture ingress and contamination. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 72-19-5 |
| Chemical Formula | C₄H₉NO₃ |
| Solubility | Soluble in water (~10.6 g/dL at 30 °C; increasing with temperature) |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry, protect from moisture and light |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Food/beverage supplements
feed additive
protein synthesis
biochemical research
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | L-Threonine |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Nutrient (Essential Amino Acid); Flavor Enhancer |
| Key Ingredients | (2S,3R)-2-Amino-3-hydroxybutanoic acid (L-Threonine) |
| Mechanism of Action | As a nutrient, it provides an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis, which is often limiting in cereal-based and plant-derived proteins. As a flavor enhancer, it acts as a key precursor in the Maillard reaction with reducing sugars during thermal processing, generating complex volatile compounds (e.g., pyrazines) that create savory, roasted, and browned flavor notes. |
| Application Effect in Product | Increases the protein quality score (PQS) and biological value of foods like bread, pasta, and plant-based alternatives. Enhances the perception of umami and savory notes in broths, seasonings, and processed meats. Contributes to desirable color formation (browning) and aroma development in baked goods and cooked foods. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-Threonine | Essential Amino Acid | Precursor to glycine and serine; structural component of collagen, elastin, and tooth enamel; supports immune and central nervous system function. | Fundamental for building connective tissues; provides the substrate for endogenous glycine production; supports gut lining integrity. | Less direct or potent for acute relaxation compared to L-Theanine or Glycine; not as targeted for muscle synthesis as BCAAs. | Long-term support for skin and joint health; foundational nervous system support; maintaining intestinal barrier function. | To address a fundamental building block deficiency and support structural protein synthesis throughout the body. |
| Glycine | Non-Essential Amino Acid | Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system; a primary component of collagen; involved in creatine synthesis. | More direct and often more potent for improving sleep quality and calming the nervous system than its precursor, L-Threonine. | As a non-essential amino acid, the body can produce it, potentially making supplementation less critical than for essential ones. | Improving sleep onset and quality; reducing daytime sleepiness; direct support for joint and skin health. | For a targeted, direct approach to calming the nervous system and promoting sleep, or for high-dose collagen support. |
| L-Theanine | Amino Acid Analogue | Found primarily in tea leaves; promotes relaxation without sedation by increasing alpha brain waves, GABA, and dopamine. | Uniquely provides 'calm alertness'; very effective for acute stress and anxiety reduction; fast-acting. | Not used as a building block for proteins; does not contribute to collagen or muscle tissue repair. | Managing daytime stress and anxiety; improving focus and concentration; taking the 'edge' off caffeine. | For non-drowsy relaxation and improved mental focus, especially in response to immediate stressors. |
| L-Tryptophan | Essential Amino Acid | Metabolic precursor to serotonin (mood regulator) and melatonin (sleep hormone). | Directly supports the synthesis of key neurochemicals for mood and the sleep-wake cycle. | Can cause drowsiness, limiting daytime use; effectiveness can be influenced by intake of other amino acids. | Supporting stable mood; addressing difficulties with falling asleep; managing appetite and cravings. | To directly target the serotonin and melatonin pathways for mood and sleep regulation. |
| BCAAs (Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine) | Essential Amino Acids | Metabolized primarily in muscle tissue; Leucine strongly activates the mTOR pathway for muscle protein synthesis. | Most effective and researched amino acids for stimulating muscle growth, preventing muscle breakdown, and reducing exercise fatigue. | Have minimal direct impact on mood, relaxation, or sleep compared to other amino acids listed; are only three of the nine essential amino acids. | Pre- or intra-workout for muscle energy and endurance; post-workout for recovery and stimulating muscle repair. | When the primary goal is muscle building, athletic performance, and enhanced recovery from physical exercise. |
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