Scientists developed a new laboratory method to accurately measure two types of carnitine—L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine—in foods like baby formula and dietary supplements. Carnitine is a natural compound that helps your body use fat for energy and may support brain health. This new testing method is faster, uses less material, and is better for the environment than older methods. The researchers tested it on infant formula and supplements to make sure it works reliably. This breakthrough could help food companies and regulators ensure these products contain the right amounts of carnitine.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can scientists create a better laboratory test to measure two types of carnitine (L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine) in foods and supplements?
  • Who participated: The study tested 8 food samples: 3 infant powdered milk products and 5 dietary supplements containing carnitine
  • Key finding: The new testing method successfully detected carnitine at extremely low levels (as little as 0.04-0.09 micrograms per kilogram) and proved reliable and accurate when tested multiple times
  • What it means for you: This method could help ensure that baby formula and supplements you buy actually contain the carnitine amounts listed on the label, though this is a laboratory development rather than a direct health recommendation

The Research Details

Scientists created a new laboratory testing method using a tiny tube (100 micrometers wide) filled with special material that separates and identifies carnitine compounds in food. They made this special material by mixing two chemicals together in a controlled way. The method uses a machine called a nano-liquid chromatograph that pushes the food sample through the tube and measures what comes out using ultraviolet light detection.

This approach is called ‘green chemistry’ because it uses much smaller amounts of chemicals and produces less waste compared to traditional testing methods. The researchers then tested their new method on real food samples—specifically infant formula and dietary supplements—to make sure it worked correctly. They checked that the method could detect carnitine accurately, that it gave the same results when repeated, and that it could measure carnitine at very tiny concentrations.

Having a reliable, sensitive method to measure carnitine in foods is important because carnitine plays a role in how your body converts fat into energy. The European Food Safety Authority has stated that acetyl-L-carnitine may help with normal brain function. Accurate testing ensures that products claiming to contain carnitine actually have the amount they say they do, which is especially important for infant formula where precise nutrition matters.

The study demonstrates good scientific practice by validating the method across multiple quality measures: precision (consistent results), sensitivity (ability to detect very small amounts), linearity (accurate across different concentrations), recovery (ability to find carnitine that was added to samples), and repeatability (same results when tested again). However, this is a methods paper focused on laboratory technique rather than human health outcomes, so it doesn’t directly prove health benefits.

What the Results Show

The new testing method successfully detected and measured both L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in all food samples tested. The method could detect carnitine at extremely low concentrations—as little as 0.04 to 0.09 micrograms per kilogram, which is far below the levels typically found in foods.

When the researchers tested the method multiple times on the same samples, they got consistent, reliable results. This means the method is stable and trustworthy for routine use. The method also accurately recovered carnitine that researchers intentionally added to samples, confirming that it measures what it’s supposed to measure.

The technique proved suitable for analyzing real-world food products, including three different infant formula samples and five different supplement products. All samples were successfully analyzed without problems or interference from other ingredients in the food.

The study demonstrated that the new nano-column (the tiny tube with special material) is durable and can be reused multiple times, which makes it cost-effective. The method requires very small amounts of chemical solvents compared to traditional testing approaches, making it environmentally friendly. The researchers confirmed that the special material they created (the hydrophilic monolith) is suitable for this type of analysis and could potentially be used for other similar compounds in food.

This is reported as the first time a hydrophilic monolithic nano-column has been used to analyze both L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine in food samples. While other methods exist to measure carnitine, this approach is notable for using much smaller sample sizes and less solvent, representing an advancement in green analytical chemistry. The sensitivity (ability to detect tiny amounts) appears comparable to or better than existing methods.

This study is a methods development paper, not a human health study, so it doesn’t directly show health benefits. The sample size is small (only 8 food products tested), so results may not represent all possible food products. The study doesn’t compare this new method directly to other existing testing methods to show if it’s definitively better. Additionally, the study doesn’t measure actual carnitine content in a wide variety of real-world foods, only in infant formula and supplements.

The Bottom Line

This research is primarily for food scientists and manufacturers rather than consumers. It suggests that this new testing method should be adopted for routine quality control of carnitine in foods and supplements (moderate confidence level based on validation data). The method appears suitable for regulatory agencies to verify product labeling claims.

Food manufacturers, dietary supplement companies, and food safety regulators should care about this development. Consumers interested in ensuring product quality may benefit indirectly. Parents of infants should care about accurate infant formula testing, though this method itself doesn’t change what they should feed their babies.

This is a laboratory method development, not a treatment or dietary intervention. If adopted by manufacturers and regulators, improved testing could be implemented within months to years, but consumers won’t notice a direct change—they’ll simply have more confidence that products contain what they claim.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track carnitine intake from supplements and fortified foods by recording product names, serving sizes, and stated carnitine content per serving, then sum daily totals to monitor whether you’re meeting any personal intake goals
  • If using a nutrition app, add any carnitine-containing supplements or fortified foods to your daily log and set a target intake level based on your health goals, then monitor whether you consistently meet that target
  • Maintain a weekly log of carnitine-containing products consumed, noting the brand and amount, to identify patterns in your intake and ensure consistency if you’re using carnitine for a specific health purpose

This research describes a laboratory testing method and does not provide medical advice or health recommendations. It does not establish safe or effective doses of carnitine for any health condition. Anyone considering carnitine supplementation should consult with a healthcare provider, especially parents of infants. This method development study does not prove that carnitine supplements provide health benefits. Always follow your doctor’s guidance regarding dietary supplements and infant nutrition.