Carnitine (CHEM023175)

IdentificationTaxonomyBiological PropertiesPhysical PropertiesToxicity ProfileSpectraConcentrationsLinksReferencesXML
Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2016-05-25 20:53:03 UTC
Update Date2026-05-14 17:44:36 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM023175
Identification
Common NameCarnitine
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionCarnitine is a quaternary ammonium ubiquitous compound biosynthetized from the amino acids lysine and methionine and involved in the transport of long-chain fatty acids to be used in fatty acid metabolism. The active form is L-carnitine whereas D-carnitine is biologically inactive. Fatty acids are broken down to acetyl-CoA through beta-oxidation, which in yeast takes place exclusively in peroxisomes. Acetyl-CoA is then used in the glyoxylate cycle for gluconeogenesis and formation of carbohydrates, or transported to mitochondrion for the generation of metabolic energy through the citric acid cycle. [Biocyc PWY-6111] [PMID: 10545096]
Contaminant Sources
  • FooDB Chemicals
Contaminant TypeNot Available
Chemical Structure
Thumb
MOLSDF3D-SDFPDBSMILESInChI View 3D Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
(-)-CarnitineChEBI
(-)-L-CarnitineChEBI
3-Carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminium hydroxide, inner saltChEBI
CarnicorChEBI
CarniteneChEBI
CarnitineChEBI
CarnitorChEBI
KarnitinChEBI
LevocarnitineChEBI
Vitamin BTChEBI
L-gamma-Trimethyl-beta-hydroxybutyrobetaineKegg
(R)-CarnitineKegg
L-g-Trimethyl-b-hydroxybutyrobetaineGenerator
L-Γ-trimethyl-β-hydroxybutyrobetaineGenerator
BicarnesineMeSH
L CarnitineMeSH
(-)-(R)-3-Hydroxy-4-(trimethylammonio)butyrateHMDB
(R)-(3-Carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl)trimethylammonium hydroxideHMDB
(S)-CarnitineHMDB
1-CarnitineHMDB
3-Carboxy-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-1-propanaminiumHMDB
3-Hydroxy-4-trimethylammoniobutanoateHMDB
3-Hydroxy-4-trimethylammoniobutanoic acidHMDB
CarnikingHMDB
Carniking 50HMDB
CarnileanHMDB
CarnipassHMDB
Carnipass 20HMDB
D-CarnitineHMDB
delta-CarnitineHMDB
DL-CarnitineHMDB
gamma-Trimethyl-ammonium-beta-hydroxybutirateHMDB
gamma-Trimethyl-beta-hydroxybutyrobetaineHMDB
gamma-Trimethyl-hydroxybutyrobetaineHMDB
L-(-)-CarnitineHMDB
LevocarnitinaHMDB
LevocarnitinumHMDB
R-(-)-3-Hydroxy-4-trimethylaminobutyrateHMDB
L-CarnitineChEBI
Chemical FormulaC7H15NO3
Average Molecular Mass161.199 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass161.105 g/mol
CAS Registry Number461-06-3
IUPAC Name[(2R)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl]trimethylazanium
Traditional NameL-carnitine
SMILESC[N+](C)(C)CC(O)CC([O-])=O
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/C7H15NO3/c1-8(2,3)5-6(9)4-7(10)11/h6,9H,4-5H2,1-3H3
InChI KeyPHIQHXFUZVPYII-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carnitines. These are organic compounds containing the quaternary ammonium compound carnitine.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassOrganic nitrogen compounds
ClassOrganonitrogen compounds
Sub ClassQuaternary ammonium salts
Direct ParentCarnitines
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Carnitine
  • Beta-hydroxy acid
  • Short-chain hydroxy acid
  • Fatty acid
  • Hydroxy acid
  • Tetraalkylammonium salt
  • 1,2-aminoalcohol
  • Carboxylic acid salt
  • Secondary alcohol
  • Carboxylic acid derivative
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Monocarboxylic acid or derivatives
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Organic zwitterion
  • Organic salt
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Organic oxide
  • Carbonyl group
  • Organopnictogen compound
  • Amine
  • Alcohol
  • Aliphatic acyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic acyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginNot Available
Cellular LocationsNot Available
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue LocationsNot Available
PathwaysNot Available
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateNot Available
AppearanceNot Available
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting PointNot Available
Boiling PointNot Available
SolubilityNot Available
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
Water Solubility5.33 g/LALOGPS
logP-2.9ALOGPS
logP-4.9ChemAxon
logS-1.6ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Acidic)4.2ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Basic)-3.6ChemAxon
Physiological Charge0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count3ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count1ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area60.36 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count4ChemAxon
Refractivity63.49 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability16.93 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleNoChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, Positivesplash10-00di-9100000000-1b25dacb04c3ed5be8d0Spectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (1 TMS) - 70eV, Positivesplash10-00di-9100000000-c15eaa190d1e28a4839aSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TMS_1_1) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TMS_1_2) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TMS_2_1) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TBDMS_1_1) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TBDMS_1_2) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (TBDMS_2_1) - 70eV, PositiveNot AvailableSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QQ , positivesplash10-03di-0900000000-9b579c570aab7c7d3a21Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QQ , positivesplash10-0ik9-0900000000-e37d3def2de1af5bd2f5Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QQ , positivesplash10-0ue9-8900000000-cf37f0a721cd52d86e8eSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QQ , positivesplash10-0r0c-9200000000-a11a4872036f3c33d25aSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QQ , positivesplash10-0a4l-9000000000-2402e260a330ff1772a1Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-IT , positivesplash10-0w29-6900000000-d0136248acdd706e650bSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QTOF , positivesplash10-0ik9-2900000000-61732bb10307f2b183caSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QTOF , positivesplash10-0zg0-9400000000-15c3db3324f1d46d3c7cSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - LC-ESI-QTOF , positivesplash10-0ik9-2900000000-ee79f10dce9fc09246ecSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-01ox-0900000000-3bffd5143cf8b072299eSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-00kf-0900000000-e68f553bcb15d3ef5b47Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-00di-9200000000-c5b43723951af6da48cfSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-03di-1900000000-dd1b1a023937cdcb11afSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-114i-3900000000-9f24d3bc535736149e2aSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-0a4l-9000000000-632ef17d9dde38586990Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-03di-3900000000-97af6636a917c0edea61Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-01pc-9300000000-543e21cb6b9785149e31Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-08fr-9000000000-9128d6fe96d9c7276695Spectrum
1D NMR1H NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureNot Available
Mechanism of ToxicityNot Available
MetabolismNot Available
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)Not Available
Uses/SourcesNot Available
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsNot Available
SymptomsNot Available
TreatmentNot Available
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDDB00583
HMDB IDHMDB0000062
FooDB IDFDB000571
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG ID34600
BioCyc IDCARNITINE
METLIN ID52
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkCarnitine
Chemspider ID2006614
ChEBI ID16347
PubChem Compound ID10917
Kegg Compound IDC00318
YMDB IDYMDB00616
ECMDB IDECMDB23900
References
Synthesis ReferenceNot Available
MSDSNot Available
General References
1. Bols, Mikael; Lundt, Inge; Pedersen, Christian. Simple synthesis of (R)-carnitine from D-galactono-1,4-lactone. Tetrahedron (1992), 48(2), 319-24.
2. Tamai I, China K, Sai Y, Kobayashi D, Nezu J, Kawahara E, Tsuji A: Na(+)-coupled transport of L-carnitine via high-affinity carnitine transporter OCTN2 and its subcellular localization in kidney. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2001 Jun 6;1512(2):273-84.
3. Waldner R, Laschan C, Lohninger A, Gessner M, Tuchler H, Huemer M, Spiegel W, Karlic H: Effects of doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy and a combination with L-carnitine on oxidative metabolism in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2006 Feb;132(2):121-8. Epub 2005 Nov 8.
4. Sreekumar A, Poisson LM, Rajendiran TM, Khan AP, Cao Q, Yu J, Laxman B, Mehra R, Lonigro RJ, Li Y, Nyati MK, Ahsan A, Kalyana-Sundaram S, Han B, Cao X, Byun J, Omenn GS, Ghosh D, Pennathur S, Alexander DC, Berger A, Shuster JR, Wei JT, Varambally S, Beecher C, Chinnaiyan AM: Metabolomic profiles delineate potential role for sarcosine in prostate cancer progression. Nature. 2009 Feb 12;457(7231):910-4. doi: 10.1038/nature07762.
5. Wachter S, Vogt M, Kreis R, Boesch C, Bigler P, Hoppeler H, Krahenbuhl S: Long-term administration of L-carnitine to humans: effect on skeletal muscle carnitine content and physical performance. Clin Chim Acta. 2002 Apr;318(1-2):51-61.
6. Evans AM, Fornasini G: Pharmacokinetics of L-carnitine. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2003;42(11):941-67.
7. Pastoris O, Dossena M, Foppa P, Catapano M, Arbustini E, Bellini O, Dal Bello B, Minzioni G, Ceriana P, Barzaghi N: Effect of L-carnitine on myocardial metabolism: results of a balanced, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Pharmacol Res. 1998 Feb;37(2):115-22.
8. Stephens FB, Constantin-Teodosiu D, Laithwaite D, Simpson EJ, Greenhaff PL: Insulin stimulates L-carnitine accumulation in human skeletal muscle. FASEB J. 2006 Feb;20(2):377-9. Epub 2005 Dec 20.
9. Malaguarnera M, Pistone G, Astuto M, Dell'Arte S, Finocchiaro G, Lo Giudice E, Pennisi G: L-Carnitine in the treatment of mild or moderate hepatic encephalopathy. Dig Dis. 2003;21(3):271-5.
10. Oey NA, van Vlies N, Wijburg FA, Wanders RJ, Attie-Bitach T, Vaz FM: L-carnitine is synthesized in the human fetal-placental unit: potential roles in placental and fetal metabolism. Placenta. 2006 Aug;27(8):841-6. Epub 2005 Nov 18.
11. Feinfeld DA, Kurian P, Cheng JT, Dilimetin G, Arriola MR, Ward L, Manis T, Carvounis CP: Effect of oral L-carnitine on serum myoglobin in hemodialysis patients. Ren Fail. 1996 Jan;18(1):91-6.
12. Matalliotakis I, Koumantaki Y, Evageliou A, Matalliotakis G, Goumenou A, Koumantakis E: L-carnitine levels in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men: correlation with sperm quality. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2000 May-Jun;45(3):236-40.
13. Vescovo G, Ravara B, Gobbo V, Dalla Libera L: Inflammation and perturbation of the l-carnitine system in heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail. 2005 Oct;7(6):997-1002.
14. Lerch R: [The effect of L-carnitine on ischemic heart disease: experimental results]. Praxis (Bern 1994). 1998 Jan 21;87(4):97-100.
15. Khademi A, Alleyassin A, Safdarian L, Hamed EA, Rabiee E, Haghaninezhad H: The effects of L-carnitine on sperm parameters in smoker and non-smoker patients with idiopathic sperm abnormalities. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2005 Dec;22(11-12):395-9.
16. Stradomska TJ, Tylki-Szymanska A, Bentkowski Z: Very long-chain fatty acids in Rett syndrome. Eur J Pediatr. 1999 Mar;158(3):226-9.
17. Hoppel CL, Genuth SM: Urinary excretion of acetylcarnitine during human diabetic and fasting ketosis. Am J Physiol. 1982 Aug;243(2):E168-72.
18. Lenzi A, Sgro P, Salacone P, Paoli D, Gilio B, Lombardo F, Santulli M, Agarwal A, Gandini L: A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of the use of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine treatment in men with asthenozoospermia. Fertil Steril. 2004 Jun;81(6):1578-84.
19. Sinclair C, Gilchrist JM, Hennessey JV, Kandula M: Muscle carnitine in hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Muscle Nerve. 2005 Sep;32(3):357-9.
20. Ahmad S: L-carnitine in dialysis patients. Semin Dial. 2001 May-Jun;14(3):209-17.
21. Shihabi ZK, Oles KS, McCormick CP, Penry JK: Serum and tissue carnitine assay based on dialysis. Clin Chem. 1992 Aug;38(8 Pt 1):1414-7.
22. Steiber A, Kerner J, Hoppel CL: Carnitine: a nutritional, biosynthetic, and functional perspective. Mol Aspects Med. 2004 Oct-Dec;25(5-6):455-73.
23. Olpin SE: Fatty acid oxidation defects as a cause of neuromyopathic disease in infants and adults. Clin Lab. 2005;51(5-6):289-306.
24. Borum PR, York CM, Broquist HP: Carnitine content of liquid formulas and special diets. Am J Clin Nutr. 1979 Nov;32(11):2272-6. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/32.11.2272.
25. Elshenawy S, Pinney SE, Stuart T, Doulias PT, Zura G, Parry S, Elovitz MA, Bennett MJ, Bansal A, Strauss JF 3rd, Ischiropoulos H, Simmons RA: The Metabolomic Signature of the Placenta in Spontaneous Preterm Birth. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Feb 4;21(3). pii: ijms21031043. doi: 10.3390/ijms21031043.
26. Klein MS, Almstetter MF, Schlamberger G, Nurnberger N, Dettmer K, Oefner PJ, Meyer HH, Wiedemann S, Gronwald W: Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry-based milk metabolomics in dairy cows during early and late lactation. J Dairy Sci. 2010 Apr;93(4):1539-50. doi: 10.3168/jds.2009-2563.
27. Sundekilde UK, Gustavsson F, Poulsen NA, Glantz M, Paulsson M, Larsen LB, Bertram HC: Association between the bovine milk metabolome and rennet-induced coagulation properties of milk. J Dairy Sci. 2014 Oct;97(10):6076-84. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8304. Epub 2014 Jul 30.
28. Buitenhuis AJ, Sundekilde UK, Poulsen NA, Bertram HC, Larsen LB, Sorensen P: Estimation of genetic parameters and detection of quantitative trait loci for metabolites in Danish Holstein milk. J Dairy Sci. 2013 May;96(5):3285-95. doi: 10.3168/jds.2012-5914. Epub 2013 Mar 15.
29. Lu J, Antunes Fernandes E, Paez Cano AE, Vinitwatanakhun J, Boeren S, van Hooijdonk T, van Knegsel A, Vervoort J, Hettinga KA: Changes in milk proteome and metabolome associated with dry period length, energy balance, and lactation stage in postparturient dairy cows. J Proteome Res. 2013 Jul 5;12(7):3288-96. doi: 10.1021/pr4001306. Epub 2013 Jun 5.
30. O'Callaghan TF, Vazquez-Fresno R, Serra-Cayuela A, Dong E, Mandal R, Hennessy D, McAuliffe S, Dillon P, Wishart DS, Stanton C, Ross RP: Pasture Feeding Changes the Bovine Rumen and Milk Metabolome. Metabolites. 2018 Apr 6;8(2). pii: metabo8020027. doi: 10.3390/metabo8020027.
31. Kurt J. Boudonck, Matthew W. Mitchell, Jacob Wulff and John A. Ryals. Characterization of the biochemical variability of bovine milk using metabolomics. Metabolomics (2009) 5:375?386
32. A. Foroutan et al. The Chemical Composition of Commercial Cow's Milk (in preparation)