What Is N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) 99% AJI92, Pharma/Food/Feed-Veterinary Grade? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), also known as Acetylcysteine, is the N-acetylated derivative of the natural amino acid L-cysteine. Its molecular formula is C5H9NO3S and its molecular weight is 163.19. NAC is a white crystalline powder with a garlic-like odor and sour taste. It is hygroscopic, readily soluble in water or ethanol, and insoluble in ether and chloroform. It is acidic in aqueous solution with a melting point of 101–107°C. NAC is a multifunctional compound with mucolytic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. The sulfhydryl group (-SH) in its molecular structure can break the disulfide bonds (-S-S-) in mucoprotein peptide chains, decomposing mucoproteins into smaller peptide chains, thereby reducing the viscosity of sputum and making it easier to expectorate. Additionally, NAC can generate glutathione (GSH) in the body, exerting powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and protecting the integrity of cellular morphology and function. As a pharmaceutical compound and dietary supplement, NAC occupies an important position in clinical applications due to the versatility of its biochemical properties, including its ability to reduce disulfide bonds, enabling it to effectively break down mucus and detoxify reactive metabolites in the liver.

English Name

The raw materials for N-acetylcysteine are L-cysteine or L-cystine. L-cysteine can be extracted from natural proteins (such as human hair, pig hair, etc.) through hydrolysis, or produced through microbial fermentation. In recent years, fermentation production processes have received increasing attention due to their greater environmental friendliness and sustainability.