What Is L-Alanine? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications
Last updated: 2026-11-14 · CAS 56-41-7 · Food Grade
- Quick facts
- Name
- L-Alanine
- CAS number
- 56-41-7
- Grade
- Food Grade
- Certifications
- ISO 9001 · ISO 22000 · HACCP · FAMI-QS · Kosher · Halal · GMP · SGS
- Application areas
- 5
- Documentation
- COA · TDS · SDS
Overview
L-Alanine, chemically known as (S)-2-Aminopropionic acid, is a neutral non-essential α-amino acid. It is one of the 21 amino acids that constitute human proteins and plays an indispensable role in maintaining normal physiological functions. L-Alanine is also the most abundant amino acid in human blood and plays a key role in the glucose-alanine cycle. Its molecular formula is C3H7NO2, molecular weight is 89.09, CAS number is 56–41–7, EINECS number is 200–273–8, CNS number is 12.006, and its function is flavor enhancer. L-Alanine appears as colorless to white crystalline powder, odorless, with a special sweet taste, approximately 70% as sweet as sucrose. It is one of the sweetest amino acids. Its melting point is approximately 297°C (decomposes), and it begins to sublime above 200°C. In aqueous solution, it is chemically stable. It is readily soluble in water (approx. 17 g/100 mL at 25°C), slightly soluble in ethanol (0.2%/80% alcohol), and insoluble in ether and acetone. L-Alanine is the naturally occurring isomer found in proteins. It is synthesized from pyruvate via transamination. L-Alanine is widely used as a flavor enhancer in the food industry, as a raw material for synthesizing vitamin B6 in the pharmaceutical field, and as an ingredient for mild surfactants in the daily chemical industry.
L-Alanine is recognized as the sweetest amino acid and a golden auxiliary in food flavoring, holding an irreplaceable position in food processing, pharmaceutical formulations, and daily chemical products. Its most outstanding core advantages lie in its pure and mild sweetness, unique physiological functions, and extremely wide application adaptability.
Pure and Mild Sweetness: Among all natural amino acids, L-Alanine has the highest sweetness, approximately 70% of sucrose. It is one of the sweetest amino acids. Its sweet taste is pure, mild, and free from bitterness. It can both serve as a sweetener on its own and effectively coordinate and enhance the sweetness of other sweeteners, especially high-intensity sweeteners such as aspartame and stevia, masking their aftertaste. This makes it uniquely advantageous in sugar-reduction food formulations.
Applications
Food Industry Sector
Main Functions:
Pharmaceutical Industry
Vitamin B6 Synthesis: L-Alanine is a key raw material for synthesizing vitamin B6.
Daily Chemical and Personal Care Industry
Raw Material for Mild Surfactants: Key raw material for synthesizing N-acyl alaninate, a mild, biodegradable surfactant used in amino acid cleansers…
Sports Nutrition and Health Products
Endurance Support: Participates in the glucose-alanine cycle, supporting blood glucose stability.
Other Industrial Applications
Electroplating Corrosion Inhibitors: Used as an additive in electroplating baths to improve coating quality.
Specification
| Purity | Key Characteristics | Typical Applications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Grade | ≥98.5% (CP2020)/≥99.0% | White crystalline powder, compliant with GB 2760–2024 | Flavor enhancer, sweetness improver, acidity corrector |
| Pharmaceutical Grade | 98.5–101.5% (USP2023)/98.5–101.0% (EP11) | High purity, low endotoxins, GMP production | Vitamin B6 synthesis, compound amino acid infusions |
| Reagent Grade | ≥99.0–99.5% | Suitable for cell culture | Biochemical research, cell culture media |
| Industrial Grade | ≥95% | Cost-optimized | Electroplating corrosion inhibitors, industrial intermediates |
| 3.2 Typical Technical Specifications (Food Grade/Pharmaceutical Grade) | Parameter | Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP2020) | USP2023 |
| EP11 | |||
| Assay (dry basis), % | ≥98.5 | 98.5–101.5 | 98.5–101.0 |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder | White crystalline powder | White crystalline powder |
| pH (5% solution) | 5.5–7.0 | 5.5–7.0 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Specific Optical Rotation | +14.0° to +15.0° (20°C) | +13.7° to +15.1° (25°C) | +13.5° to +15.5° (20°C) |
| Transmittance (T430), % | ≥98.0 | — | — |
| Loss on Drying, % | ≤0.20 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.50 |
| Residue on Ignition, % | ≤0.10 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.10 |
| Chloride (Cl), % | ≤0.02 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.02 |
| Sulfate (SO4), % | ≤0.02 | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 |
| Iron (Fe), mg/kg | ≤10 | ≤30 | ≤10 |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb), mg/kg | ≤10 | — | — |
| Arsenic (As2O3), mg/kg | ≤1 | — | — |
| Endotoxin | <20 EU/g | <20 EU/g | <20 EU/g |
| Total Plate Count, CFU/g | ≤500 | ≤500 | ≤500 |
| 3.3 Packaging and Storage |
Packaging & Storage
- Packing: 25kg net fiber drum with double PE liner.
- Sample: 100-500g free sample available.
- Storage: Keep in tightly closed packaging, cool, dry, well-ventilated. Protect from light and moisture.
- Shelf Life: 24 months from production date.
Quality & Certifications
Every batch tested by in-house QC lab. COA, TDS, SDS provided with each shipment.
Regulatory & Compliance
EU
Complies with EU regulations and FAMI-QS standards.
USA
Meets FDA and AAFCO requirements.
China
Registered under Chinese MOA regulations.
International
Kosher, Halal, ISO certified. FTA forms available.
Safety & Handling
- Hazard Class: Generally non-hazardous. Refer to SDS for details.
- Storage: Room temperature, dry, sealed. Avoid strong oxidizers.
- Transport: Non-dangerous goods. Standard sea/air freight.
- SDS: Available on request at sales@xadditive.cn.
Frequently asked questions
MOQ?
MOQ is 1kg for trial, 25kg for regular orders. Free samples available.
Shelf life?
24 months from production date when stored properly.
Certifications?
ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, FAMI-QS, Kosher, Halal, COA, SDS, TDS.
How to get quote?
Email sales@xadditive.cn with your requirement. Reply within 30 minutes.
Request a quote & COA
Ask for the current specification sheet, a COA sample and a bulk quotation — reply within 30 minutes on working days.