L-Phenylalanine
L-Phenylalanine bulk ingredient for B2B formulation sourcing. Request a specification sheet, batch COA, and documentation from GEM.
| 规格名称 | 规格值 |
|---|---|
| Assay | 98.5–101.5% HPLC |
| CAS No. | 63-91-2 |
| Appearance | White crystals or crystalline powder |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| Packing | 25 kg/drum |
L-Phenylalanine
L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid used in dietary supplements, pharmaceutical preparations, and aspartame precursor applications. GEM supplies white crystalline powder for global B2B procurement.
L-Phenylalanine is one of the nine essential amino acids the human body cannot produce on its own. It must be obtained from diet or supplementation, which gives it a foundational role in human nutrition and the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients. GEM provides L-Phenylalanine as a fine white crystalline powder with a verified assay of 98.5% by HPLC for nutraceutical, food, and pharmaceutical customers worldwide.
For formulators, a consistent, specification-compliant amino acid is critical: the purity, identity, and documentation of L-Phenylalanine directly affect the safety and performance of the finished product.
L-Phenylalanine Details
Specification: 98.5%HPLC
CAS No.: 63-91-2
Molecular Formula: C9H11NO2
Packing: 25kg/drum
Last updated: June 21, 2026
Storage: Stored in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
What Is L-Phenylalanine?
As a white crystalline powder with high purity (≥98.5% HPLC), our L-Phenylalanine meets USP/EP pharmaceutical standards and is suitable for use in dietary supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceutical formulations. Its molecular identity is defined by the formula C9H11NO2 and the CAS registry number 63-91-2, which allow regulators, laboratories, and buyers to confirm the exact substance being traded.
L-Phenylalanine belongs to the aromatic amino acid family, together with L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan. Its side chain carries a benzyl group, which gives the molecule its name and shapes its chemical behavior in biological and industrial synthesis. In food it occurs naturally in meat, fish, eggs, dairy, soybeans, and nuts, while isolated powder offers the consistency industrial formulation requires.
Source & Chemistry
L-Phenylalanine is one of the 20 standard amino acids encoded by the genetic code, specified by the codons UUU and UUC. In its L-form the molecule is chiral and biologically active, so it is recognized and metabolized by human enzymes. The D-form and the racemic DL-mixture also exist, but they do not share the same nutritional role — which is why GEM supplies the L-isomer specifically.
Chemically, L-Phenylalanine is a neutral, non-polar, aromatic amino acid. Its structure consists of a central alpha carbon bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a benzyl side chain (—CH2—C6H5). The aromatic ring makes the molecule hydrophobic and influences its behavior during purification, formulation, and storage.
The compound is a white to off-white crystalline powder, sparingly soluble in water and more soluble in hot water, with limited solubility in most organic solvents. These properties affect dissolution rates, blending, and the design of tablets, capsules, and beverage systems. Commercially it is produced through microbial fermentation or enzymatic resolution, then crystallized and purified to set the final assay, specific rotation, and impurity profile.
L-Phenylalanine Specification:
The following table defines the quality parameters for GEM's L-Phenylalanine. Every lot is tested against these limits before release, and the results are summarized in the certificate of analysis provided with each shipment.
| Testing Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystals or crystalline powder |
| Assay | 98.5%～101.5% |
| Specific rotation | -34.0°~-35.5° |
| PH | 5.4-6.0 |
| Loss on drying(%) | ≤ 0.2% |
| Residue on ignition(%) | ≤ 0.4% |
| Chloride(%) | ≤ 0.05% |
| Sulfate(%) | ≤ 0.03% |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 15ppm |
| Iron(Fe) | ≤ 30ppm |
| Chromatographic purity | As per USP |
The assay range of 98.5% to 101.5% confirms identity and high purity, while the specific rotation of -34.0° to -35.5° verifies the L-configuration. Tight limits on loss on drying, residue on ignition, chloride, sulfate, heavy metals, and iron keep the powder clean and stable. Chromatographic purity is evaluated according to the USP monograph, a recognized benchmark for pharmaceutical-grade material.
Application Fields
L-Phenylalanine serves a wide range of industries thanks to its essential nutritional role and its position as a precursor in both human metabolism and industrial synthesis.
In dietary supplements it appears in capsules and powders for mood and cognitive support. In pharma it serves as an API intermediate and a starting material for active compounds. In functional food and beverage it supports protein fortification and flavor, in sports nutrition it enters amino acid complexes and pre-workout formulas, and in cosmetics it acts as a skin-conditioning agent in anti-aging systems.
A further major industrial use is its role as the amino acid precursor in aspartame production, a high-intensity low-calorie sweetener. L-Phenylalanine is converted to its methyl ester and coupled with L-Aspartic acid. This aspartame precursor application is one of the largest volume uses of isolated phenylalanine and demands consistent, food-grade quality from a reliable amino acid supplier.
Production & Quality
GEM supplies L-Phenylalanine produced under controlled manufacturing conditions and verified through a documented quality system. Each batch is analyzed for identity, assay, physical characteristics, and impurities using methods aligned with pharmacopeial standards.
Quality control begins with incoming raw material review and continues through in-process checks and final release testing. The certificate of analysis for every shipment reports the assay, specific rotation, pH, loss on drying, residue on ignition, chloride, sulfate, heavy metals, iron, and chromatographic purity against the limits in the specification table. This documentation supports customer qualification, regulatory filing, and traceability.
Packaging is standardized at 25kg per drum for efficient handling, storage, and international shipping, protecting the powder from moisture and contamination. Correct storage in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area preserves stability and free flow. For multi-ingredient systems it pairs well with L-Arginine, L-Citrulline DL-Malate, and Pea Protein Powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is L-Phenylalanine used for?
L-Phenylalanine is used in dietary supplements, pharmaceutical preparations, and as a precursor in aspartame manufacturing. In supplements it supports mood and cognitive formulas; in pharma it is an API intermediate; and in food it aids protein fortification and flavor.
Is L-Phenylalanine an essential amino acid?
Yes. L-Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid the body cannot synthesize, so it must come from diet or supplementation. It is also an aromatic amino acid, alongside L-Tyrosine and L-Tryptophan.
What is the difference between L-Phenylalanine and D-Phenylalanine?
The difference is stereochemistry. The L-form is the biologically active isomer recognized by human metabolism, while the D-form is its mirror image and is not utilized the same way. GEM supplies the L-isomer, which is the form referenced throughout this specification.
What is the CAS number of L-Phenylalanine?
The CAS registry number for L-Phenylalanine is 63-91-2, used with the molecular formula C9H11NO2 to confirm the exact substance.
What is the molecular formula of L-Phenylalanine?
The molecular formula of L-Phenylalanine is C9H11NO2. It is a neutral, non-polar aromatic amino acid with a benzyl side chain.
How is L-Phenylalanine supplied and packaged?
GEM supplies L-Phenylalanine as a white crystalline powder with an assay of 98.5% by HPLC. Standard packing is 25kg per drum, suitable for global B2B procurement and international shipping.
What are the storage conditions for L-Phenylalanine powder?
L-Phenylalanine should be stored in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Proper storage protects the powder from moisture and helps maintain its stability and free-flowing properties.
What quality standards does GEM's L-Phenylalanine meet?
GEM's L-Phenylalanine is produced to meet USP/EP pharmaceutical standards, with chromatographic purity evaluated as per USP and every lot released against the specification table above.
Can L-Phenylalanine be used in food and beverage applications?
Yes. Beyond supplements and pharma, L-Phenylalanine is used in functional food and beverage for protein fortification and flavor, and as the precursor in industrial aspartame synthesis.
What is the relationship between L-Phenylalanine and aspartame?
L-Phenylalanine is the amino acid precursor in aspartame production. It is first converted to L-Phenylalanine methyl ester and then coupled with L-Aspartic acid to form the sweetener. This aspartame precursor application is one of the major industrial uses of the compound.
Is L-Phenylalanine suitable for sports nutrition formulations?
Yes. As one of the 20 standard amino acids, L-Phenylalanine aids protein synthesis and appears in amino acid blends and pre-workout formulas, often with L-Leucine and L-Ornithine L-Aspartate.
Further Reading
Explore related GEM ingredients and technical pages:
- L-Leucine — branched-chain amino acid for protein synthesis and sports nutrition.
- L-Arginine — amino acid used in circulation and performance formulas.
- L-Theanine — companion ingredient for calm cognitive support.
- L-Citrulline DL-Malate — commonly paired in pre-workout blends.
- Pea Protein Powder — plant protein for functional food fortification.
- L-Ornithine L-Aspartate — related amino acid for combined formulations.