Description
An essential aromatic amino acid and the metabolic precursor to L-tyrosine and subsequently to the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Used as a feedstock for aspartame production, in pharmaceutical and clinical nutrition, and in dietary supplements positioned for mood, focus, and pain management.
White crystalline powder. Limited water solubility; freely soluble in dilute acid and base.
We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade L-Phenylalanine 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 98.5 percent purity), Aspartame-Synthesis Grade (the largest single use as feedstock for aspartame manufacturing), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting BP/USP/EP/JP specifications, and DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA) for pain-management supplement positioning.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, specific rotation, related amino acids, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that humans cannot synthesize and must obtain from dietary protein. The amino acid is the metabolic precursor to L-tyrosine through the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, and subsequently to the catecholamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Industrial production proceeds by submerged aerobic fermentation using engineered Escherichia coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum strains. The dominant single application is as feedstock for aspartame production, where L-phenylalanine and L-aspartic acid are coupled enzymatically or chemically to yield the high-intensity sweetener.
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 supplement positioning combines mood and focus claims (via the catecholamine-precursor mechanism) with pain-management claims for the DL-phenylalanine variant (DLPA). DLPA is thought to inhibit enkephalinase, the enzyme that degrades endogenous opioid enkephalins, supporting pain-modulation positioning.
Important regulatory note: L-Phenylalanine is contraindicated in individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder of phenylalanine metabolism. All aspartame-containing products in most jurisdictions must bear a warning label for PKU patients.
Where it is used
- Aspartame manufacturing feedstock: the largest single use globally
- Mood-support and antidepressant-positioned dietary supplements
- Cognitive and focus formulation blends
- Pain-management supplement formulations (DLPA variant)
- Parenteral nutrition and clinical nutrition formulas
- Infant formula and medical food fortification
- Animal feed: specialty applications
- Pharmaceutical synthesis intermediates
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (dry basis) | 98.5% to 101.0% |
| Specific rotation | −33.0° to −35.5° |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 0.3% |
| Residue on ignition | ≤ 0.1% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Chloride | ≤ 0.05% |
| Particle size | Per customer specification |
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