Description
A conditionally essential amino acid and the substrate for nitric oxide synthase. Used widely in sports nutrition for vasodilation and pump effects, in clinical nutrition for wound healing and immune support, and in pharmaceutical applications.
White crystalline powder. Highly water-soluble. The free base form is alkaline in solution; the hydrochloride salt form is preferred where neutral pH matters.
We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade L-Arginine from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include L-Arginine Base (FCC compliant 98.5 to 101 percent), L-Arginine Hydrochloride (the pharmaceutical workhorse), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting BP/USP/EP specifications, Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG, premium sports-nutrition variant), and Arginine Pyroglutamate for cognitive-support positioning.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, specific rotation, pH, related amino acids, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
L-Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid: adults can synthesize sufficient arginine for normal needs, but children and adults under metabolic stress (surgery, trauma, severe illness) require dietary arginine to maintain adequate supply.
Industrial production proceeds by submerged aerobic fermentation using engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum or Escherichia coli strains. China dominates global production with substantial export volumes.
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 amino acid's biological function as the substrate for nitric oxide synthase produces vasodilation effects that underpin the dominant sports-nutrition supplement positioning. Arginine increases blood flow during exercise, producing the 'pump' effect that bodybuilding and resistance-training enthusiasts value commercially.
Strategic positioning is dominated by sports nutrition (the highest unit value and volume in the supplement category), followed by clinical nutrition for wound healing and surgical recovery (smaller volume but established clinical evidence), and broader supplement applications.
Where it is used
- Sports nutrition: pre-workout, pump-enhancement, and recovery formulations; the largest commercial application
- Clinical nutrition: wound healing, post-surgical recovery, and immune support formulas
- Pharmaceutical applications: parenteral nutrition, hepatic encephalopathy treatment
- Dietary supplements: cardiovascular-support and male-enhancement formulations
- Pet food and pet supplement applications
- Animal feed: pig nursing diets and poultry breeder fortification
- Cosmetic applications including specialty skincare
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (dry basis) | 98.5% to 101.0% |
| Specific rotation | +26.3° to +27.7° |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 0.5% |
| Residue on ignition | ≤ 0.1% |
| pH (10% solution) | 10.5 to 12.0 (free base) / 4.5 to 6.5 (HCl) |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Particle size | Per customer specification |
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