L-Glutamine

L-Glutamine (CAS 56-85-9) is the monoamide of L-glutamic acid — systematically (2S)-2-amino-4-carbamoylbutanoic acid — with the molecular formula C5H10N2O3 and a molecular weight of 146.14 g/mol. Thovek supplies it as a white, practically odourless crystalline powder produced by bacterial fermentation of plant-derived carbohydrate. It dissolves in water to about 41.3 g/L at 25 °C (one gram in roughly 20.8 mL at 30 °C) and does not melt cleanly, decomposing at around 185 °C. It is the most abundant free amino acid in human plasma and skeletal muscle, and functions as a nitrogen carrier and as a respiratory substrate for enterocytes and lymphocytes. Two physical properties govern how glutamine is formulated. First, it is thermally labile: a decomposition point near 185 °C rules out aggressive drying, extrusion or baking steps. Second, it is not indefinitely stable in aqueous solution, where it slowly cyclises to pyroglutamic acid with release of ammonia — which is why glutamine is normally presented as a dry powder, stick pack or capsule, and why the dipeptide L-alanyl-L-glutamine is generally preferred for ready-to-drink and sterile-liquid formats. Standard particle size is approximately 95 % through 60 mesh (250 µm), with 80 mesh and free-flowing granular grades available for direct-compression tablet lines and high-speed sachet filling. Material is offered to USP, Ph. Eur./BP and FCC monograph requirements as well as ordinary food grade, with assay of not less than 98.5 % on the dried basis. Each lot is released against a certificate of analysis covering identity, assay, specific rotation, appearance, loss on drying, residue on ignition, chloride and sulphate, microbiological limits and elemental impurities, with lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury reported individually. Non-GMO, vegan, allergen, BSE/TSE, kosher and halal documentation is available. Export packing is 25 kg net in double food-grade LDPE liners inside fibre drums or multi-wall kraft bags, palletised and shrink-wrapped. Note that the correct tariff classification is HS 2924.19 rather than a 2922 amino-acid subheading, because of the carboxamide function.