Description
The simplest amino acid and the most abundant amino acid in collagen. Used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer in food, as a buffer in pharmaceutical applications, in collagen-support supplements, and as a major chemical-synthesis intermediate.
White crystalline powder with mild sweet taste. Highly water-soluble.
We supply food-grade, feed-grade, and pharmaceutical-grade Glycine from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include Standard Food Grade (FCC compliant), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting BP/USP/EP/JP specifications, Industrial Grade for chemical synthesis applications, and Technical Grade for industrial cleaning applications.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, melting point, chloride content, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
Glycine is the simplest amino acid, with hydrogen as its side chain. The amino acid is non-essential in human nutrition but is produced in such large quantities for industrial chemical synthesis that food and supplement uses represent only a small fraction of total production.
Industrial production proceeds primarily by chemical synthesis from chloroacetic acid and ammonia (the Strecker synthesis), yielding glycine at high purity at low cost.
Recognized as a permitted food ingredient by the U.S. FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and equivalent regulators worldwide. Listed in BP, USP, EP, and JP pharmacopoeias.
The dominant global commercial application is as the manufacturing feedstock for glyphosate herbicide (Roundup), which consumes the substantial majority of total Glycine production. Food, supplement, and pharmaceutical applications represent a meaningful but secondary fraction of demand.
Strategic positioning splits between industrial chemical synthesis (the volume application) and food/pharmaceutical/supplement use (lower volume but higher unit value).
Where it is used
- Food applications: flavor enhancer and sweetness modulator in savory foods, beverages, and confectionery
- Pharmaceutical applications: pH buffer, antacid formulations, parenteral nutrition
- Collagen-support supplements: bone, joint, and skin health formulations
- Sports nutrition: recovery and sleep-quality supplements
- Animal feed: poultry and aquaculture applications
- Industrial applications: glyphosate herbicide manufacturing feedstock (the largest single global use), specialty chemical synthesis
- Cosmetic and personal-care: skincare buffers and humectants
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (dry basis) | 98.5% to 101.0% |
| Melting point | 232 °C to 236 °C (with decomposition) |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 0.3% |
| Residue on ignition | ≤ 0.1% |
| Chloride | ≤ 0.007% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Iron | ≤ 20 mg/kg |
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