L-carnosine
L-carnosine is a dipeptide of beta-alanine and L-histidine that occurs naturally in meat. Commercial L-carnosine is made by chemical peptide synthesis, coupling a protected beta-alanine with L-histidine, then removing the protecting groups, purifying and crystallizing. Brands buy it as a white crystalline powder for capsules and tablets, and some buy zinc carnosine (polaprezinc), a zinc chelate sold as a separate ingredient.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Standard white powder for capsules, tablets and powders.
A chelate of zinc and L-carnosine, sold as a separate ingredient; calculate both zinc and carnosine content.
L-carnosine sold for skin care formulas, tested to a cosmetic specification.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store L-carnosine in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light, and reseal opened packs promptly. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, related substances and loss on drying are the usual retest points.
Record assay and the related-substances profile for each lot, and ask whether the synthesis route changed between lots. Rotate stock FEFO.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) as an approved chemical name, classified as an isolate under Schedule 1, item 2.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The same entry lists skin-conditioning agent as a non-medicinal purpose, for topical use only.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for carnosine (POL-NF-00220) gives it the status not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Distributor · City of Industry, CA
California ingredient supplier that sources branded and commodity ingredients for supplement and food makers, from amino acids and vitamins to magnesium L-threonate and a plant-based vitamin D3.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include crystalline L-carnosine, zinc carnosine (polaprezinc) and cosmetic grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity, assay, related substances, residual solvents and hydrazine and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store L-carnosine in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light, and reseal opened packs promptly. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, related substances and loss on drying are the usual retest points.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) as an approved chemical name, classified as an isolate under Schedule 1, item 2. The same entry lists skin-conditioning agent as a non-medicinal purpose, for topical use only. The EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for carnosine (POL-NF-00220) gives it the status not novel in food supplements.
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