Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine, usually abbreviated ALCAR or ALC, is the acetyl ester of levocarnitine: the same quaternary ammonium backbone with an acetyl group on the 3-hydroxyl. As a free base it is C9H17NO4 at molecular weight 203.24 (CAS 3040-38-8). Most bulk material moves as the hydrochloride, C9H17NO4·HCl at molecular weight 239.70 (CAS 5080-50-2), which crystallises and stores more predictably. Thovek quotes both, and buyers should confirm which basis a price and a label claim refer to, since the hydrochloride carries roughly 15% counter-ion weight. Alongside carnitine's established role in moving long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrion for beta-oxidation, the acetyl form also carries an activated acetyl group, which is why formulators treat it as a distinct ingredient rather than a drop-in substitute for L-carnitine or its tartrate. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder, freely soluble in water, typically supplied at 98% assay or better, with specific rotation of -27.0 to -29.0 degrees measured at 1% in water. That rotation is the routine identity and stereochemical check, since the D-isomer is not wanted in nutritional material. ALCAR is produced by acetylation of levocarnitine, which is itself made by chemical synthesis with chiral resolution or by microbial biotransformation of gamma-butyrobetaine or crotonobetaine using Escherichia coli or Proteus strains. No animal-derived inputs enter at any step, so the material supports vegetarian and vegan positioning. Thovek ships 25 kg net in fibre drums or lined kraft bags, holds retention samples against every lot, and issues COA, MSDS, allergen, non-GMO and manufacturing-route statements with each shipment.