L-Theanine
L-Theanine bulk ingredient for B2B formulation sourcing. Request a specification sheet, batch COA, and documentation from GEM.
| 规格名称 | 规格值 |
|---|---|
| Assay | 98.0–102.0% HPLC |
| CAS No. | 3081-61-6 |
| Appearance | White to yellowish white crystalline powder |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| Packing | 25 kg/drum |
L-Theanine
L-Theanine (CAS 3081-61-6) is a unique relaxation amino acid naturally present in green tea (Camellia sinensis), supplied by GEM as a high-purity 98% HPLC bulk powder for B2B supplement, beverage, and functional-food manufacturers worldwide.
L-Theanine is one of the most recognized non-protein amino acids in the global nutraceutical supply chain. Unlike the standard protein-building amino acids, it does not participate directly in muscle or enzyme construction. Instead, it is valued for its distinctive ability to support a calm, focused state of mind — the reason it has become a staple ingredient in relaxation formulas, nootropic stacks, and functional beverages. GEM offers L-Theanine powder in commercial drum quantities, backed by full documentation for qualified manufacturers and a quality system built for repeat B2B supply.
L-Theanine Details
Below is the quick-reference summary for GEM's bulk L-Theanine. All values are stated verbatim from the current product specification.
Specification: 98%HPLC
Molecular formula: C7H14N2O3
CAS Number: 3081-61-6
Packing: 25kg/drum
Last updated: June 21, 2026
Storage: Stored in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Certificates: ISO, Kosher, Halal (available for qualified commercial partners)
L-Theanine Specification
The following analytical table defines the quality parameters for every lot of GEM L-Theanine. These limits are confirmed by in-house and third-party laboratory testing before release, giving commercial buyers a transparent baseline for their own specifications and quality agreements.
| Testing Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to yellowish white crystals or crystalline powder |
| Solution clarity | Clear and colorless |
| Assay | 98.0%～102.0% |
| Specific rotation | +7.7°~+8.5° |
| PH | 4.5-6.0 |
| Loss on drying(%) | ≤ 1.0% |
| Residue on ignition(%) | ≤ 0.2% |
| Chloride(%) | ≤ 0.02% |
| Sulfate(%) | ≤ 0.02% |
| Particle size | 90% through 0.18mm mesh |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 10ppm |
| Iron(Fe) | ≤ 30ppm |
| Arsenic(As) | ≤ 2ppm |
| Mercury(Hg) | ≤ 0.1ppm |
| Cadmium(Cd) | ≤ 1ppm |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 cfu/g |
| Moulds and Yeasts | ≤ 100 cfu/g |
| Salmonella/25g | Absence |
| E.Coli | Absence |
What Is L-Theanine?
To understand why this molecule is so useful to formulators, it helps to distinguish it from the 20 standard proteinogenic amino acids. L-Theanine is a non-protein amino acid — the human body does not use it to build muscle or enzymes. Rather, it exists in nature as a specialized compound that the tea plant produces and accumulates in its leaves. Because it is chemically related to L-glutamine and L-glutamate, it interacts gently with the body's amino-acid pathways, which is part of the reason researchers find its effects so interesting.
Source & Chemistry
L-Theanine is a naturally occurring green tea amino acid. It is synthesized by the Camellia sinensis plant and concentrated in the leaf tissue, which is why brewed tea delivers both caffeine and theanine together in nature's own ratio.
Natural Origin in Tea
The compound is found almost exclusively in the tea plant family. Beyond Camellia sinensis, trace amounts appear in a few related species such as Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua, as well as certain edible mushrooms. In tea cultivation, theanine levels are strongly influenced by growing conditions. Shade-grown teas — including Japanese matcha and gyokuro — accumulate markedly higher theanine because shading slows the conversion of theanine into catechins. For brands built on a clean-label story, matcha and shade-grown tea extracts offer a complementary ingredient that shares the same botanical heritage as GEM's L-Theanine.
Chemical Identity
Chemically, the molecule is the L-enantiomer of N-ethyl-L-glutamine, sometimes written as L-γ-glutamylethylamide. Its molecular formula is C7H14N2O3, corresponding to a molecular weight of roughly 174.2 g/mol. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is highly water-soluble — a property that makes it exceptionally easy to formulate into ready-to-drink beverages, powdered drink mixes, and effervescent formats.
The L-Form Matters
Like many biological amino acids, theanine exists as two mirror-image forms (enantiomers): L and D. The natural form found in tea is the L-Theanine isomer, and it is the L-form that the food and supplement industries standardize on. GEM's specification confirms the correct stereochemistry through specific rotation testing (+7.7° to +8.5°), ensuring that commercial buyers receive the authentic tea-derived isomer rather than a synthetic racemate.
Production & Quality
GEM supplies tea-derived L-theanine extracted from green tea, supporting clean-label and natural product positioning. Behind every drum is a layered quality system designed for B2B buyers who must satisfy their own regulators, retailers, and customers.
Manufacturing Approach
The material is produced from tea raw material through a controlled extraction and purification route that concentrates the natural L-Theanine isomer while removing leaf components, pigments, and impurities. Final crystallization yields the white-to-off-white crystalline powder described in the specification. Each batch is processed in facilities operating under recognized quality management systems, and GEM maintains ISO certification as part of its food-ingredient compliance program.
Quality Control Testing
Every lot is released against the full specification table above. Critical release tests include HPLC assay (98.0%–102.0%), specific rotation, pH, loss on drying, and residue on ignition. Microbiological safety is verified through total plate count, moulds and yeasts, and absence of Salmonella and E. coli. Heavy-metal screening covers arsenic, mercury, cadmium, iron, and total heavy metals to conservative limits, giving formulators confidence for both domestic and export markets.
Documentation & Certificates
Qualified commercial partners receive a complete documentation package: COA, MSDS, Specification Sheet, plus ISO, Kosher, and Halal certificates. These documents support regulatory submissions, retailer audits, and downstream quality agreements. Buyers should confirm the exact certificate scope and regulatory status for their target market before launch, since requirements vary by region and product category.
Packaging & Storage
Standard packing is 25kg/drum. Drums should be stored in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture, to preserve the assay and physical properties defined in the specification. Lot-specific shelf-life and handling details are provided on the COA accompanying each shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the recommended dosage range?
Typical supplement doses range from 100–400 mg per serving; confirm target claims with your regulatory team.
2. Is GEM's L-theanine from natural or synthetic sources?
GEM supplies tea-derived L-theanine extracted from green tea, supporting clean-label and natural product positioning.
3. Can L-theanine be combined with melatonin or GABA?
Yes — it is frequently paired with GABA, magnesium, and adaptogens in relaxation and sleep-support formulas.
4. What documentation is provided for B2B orders?
COA, MSDS, Specification Sheet, plus ISO, Kosher, and Halal certificates for qualified commercial partners.
5. Does L-theanine have GRAS status?
L-theanine from tea has been used in foods and supplements globally; confirm regulatory status for your target market before launch.
6. How should L-Theanine powder be stored?
Store the material in closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from moisture and direct light. Proper storage preserves the specification's assay and physical characteristics. Lot-specific handling guidance is included on the COA.
7. Is L-Theanine water soluble?
Yes. L-Theanine is highly water-soluble, which is one reason it performs so well in ready-to-drink teas, wellness shots, and powdered drink mixes. Its solubility also simplifies blending with other water-soluble actives in multi-ingredient formulas.
8. What particle size does GEM's L-Theanine provide?
Per the specification, the powder passes 90% through a 0.18 mm mesh, giving a fine, free-flowing material suited to encapsulation, tableting, and beverage suspension.
9. Is the product Kosher and Halal certified?
Yes. GEM holds Kosher and Halal certificates for this ingredient, available to qualified commercial partners alongside ISO certification and the standard COA/MSDS package.
10. What packing sizes are available?
The standard commercial packing is a 25kg drum. Buyers should contact GEM's sales team to discuss larger volumes or customized packing requirements for private-label programs.
12. What is the molecular identity of L-Theanine?
Its molecular formula is C7H14N2O3 (N-ethyl-L-glutamine, the L-enantiomer), with a specific rotation of +7.7° to +8.5° that confirms the natural tea-derived isomer.
Further Reading
Explore related GEM ingredients and resources to build complete formulations:
- L-Theanine product page — full specification and ordering information
- Matcha extract — shade-grown green tea, a natural theanine-rich botanical
- Ginseng extract — classic adaptogen often paired with theanine
- Reishi mushroom extract — mushroom adaptogen for wellness blends
- L-Arginine — complementary amino-acid building block
- Chinese magic herb: ginseng (news) — background on a popular relaxation-category botanical