L-lysine
L-lysine is an essential amino acid. Commercial L-lysine is produced on a very large scale by bacterial fermentation of sugars, mainly with Corynebacterium glutamicum, and purified by ion exchange. For foods and supplements it is usually sold as L-lysine monohydrochloride, a stable white crystalline powder that is about 80% lysine by weight; lysine sulfate and liquid lysine are mostly animal feed grades.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
The monohydrochloride salt tested to the USP or Food Chemicals Codex monograph, used in supplements and foods.
Free lysine and lysine acetate, used where chloride is unwanted; offered by fewer suppliers.
L-lysine made by bacterial fermentation of corn, cassava or beet sugar; the source and any vegan statement appear on the supplier's spec.
Lysine sulfate and feed-grade lysine HCl are made for animal feed and are not suitable for human food; confirm the grade before buying.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store L-lysine HCl in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. Lysine base is very hygroscopic and absorbs carbon dioxide, so keep it tightly sealed. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
Record the salt form and assay for each lot and calculate lysine content from the salt. Keep feed-grade material separate from food-grade stock. Rotate FEFO.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 172.320 lists L-lysine among the amino acids that may be safely used as nutrients added to foods, and references the Food Chemicals Codex specification for L-lysine monohydrochloride.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 414, for L-lysine monohydrochloride notified by Procter & Gamble to reduce acrylamide formation in fabricated snack products, closed on November 20, 2012 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Lysine natural health product monograph lists L-lysine monohydrochloride, L-lysine acetate and L-lysine dihydrochloride among source ingredients.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (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.
Manufacturer · Raleigh, NC
North American subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group. It supplies pharmaceutical- and food-grade amino acids made by fermentation, in pack sizes from R&D pails to bulk, plus custom amino acid blends.
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 l-lysine HCl, USP or FCC, l-lysine base and acetate, fermented (plant-sugar) grade and feed grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity, assay, related substances, loss on drying and residue on ignition, heavy metals and microbiology and chloride, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store L-lysine HCl in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. Lysine base is very hygroscopic and absorbs carbon dioxide, so keep it tightly sealed. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
21 CFR 172.320 lists L-lysine among the amino acids that may be safely used as nutrients added to foods, and references the Food Chemicals Codex specification for L-lysine monohydrochloride. GRN 414, for L-lysine monohydrochloride notified by Procter & Gamble to reduce acrylamide formation in fabricated snack products, closed on November 20, 2012 with FDA having no questions. Health Canada's Lysine natural health product monograph lists L-lysine monohydrochloride, L-lysine acetate and L-lysine dihydrochloride among source ingredients.
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