Carnitine Metabolism Analysis Service

Q: What is the typical sensitivity of your method for detecting carnitine and acylcarnitines?

Our LC-MS/MS platform achieves an LOD as low as 0.1 ng/mL for free carnitine and major acylcarnitines, ensuring trace-level detection in complex biological matrices.

Q: Can you differentiate isobaric acylcarnitines such as C4 and C4-i?

Yes. Using UHPLC separation and optimized gradient conditions, we can resolve isobaric species like butyrylcarnitine (C4) and isobutyrylcarnitine (C4-i) before MS detection.

Q: Do you provide analysis for hydroxylated and dicarboxylic acylcarnitines?

Yes. Our method covers hydroxyacylcarnitines (e.g., C4-OH, C8-OH) and dicarboxylic derivatives (e.g., malonylcarnitine, glutarylcarnitine), which are important for fatty acid oxidation disorder studies.

Q: How do you ensure quantitative accuracy across different sample types?

We use isotope-labeled internal standards and validated calibration curves for all target analytes, with R² ≥ 0.99 and inter-batch QC monitoring (CV ≤10%).

Q: What types of data interpretation support can you provide?

Beyond raw and processed data, we offer pathway-level visualization, statistical comparisons, and optional multi-omics integration with lipidomics and metabolomics datasets.

Q: Can the analysis be used for metabolic flux or tracer studies?

Yes. We support 13C/15N isotope tracer experiments, enabling quantification of carnitine turnover rates and pathway flux.

Q: How do you handle matrix effects for tissues and cell cultures?

Our extraction protocols include matrix-specific optimization (e.g., deproteinization, cleanup) and normalization strategies to minimize ion suppression and variability.

Q: Do you offer expanded profiling beyond carnitine and acylcarnitines?

Yes. On request, we can include related metabolites such as trimethyllysine (TML), γ-butyrobetaine, and choline derivatives, supporting carnitine biosynthesis studies.

Q: What quality control measures are included?

We perform blank runs, pooled QC samples, and spiked recovery tests in each batch, and provide CV% and recovery data in the report.

Carnitine is critical for fatty acid oxidation and ATP production—understanding its metabolism is key to solving challenges in energy homeostasis, mitochondrial function, and metabolic disorders. Our cutting-edge LC-MS/MS platform delivers precise, pathway-level insights to power your research or development goals.

Why Choose Creative Proteomics?

Quantify 70+ carnitines & intermediates with high sensitivity
Resolve isobaric species via UHPLC-MS/MS precision
Multi-omics integration for complete metabolic profiling
Isotope tracing for dynamic flux and turnover studies
Fast, reliable reporting with visualized pathway maps

Submit Your Request Now

Submit Your Request Now

What We Provide
Advantages
Technology Platform
Sample Requirement
Demo
FAQ

What Is Carnitine and Why It Matters in Energy Metabolism

Carnitine is an essential molecule that enables the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondrial membrane, fueling β-oxidation and cellular ATP production. Beyond fatty acid transport, carnitine regulates acyl-CoA/CoA balance, influences amino acid metabolism, and supports energy homeostasis under stress conditions such as fasting, exercise, or drug exposure.

Accurate analysis of carnitine metabolism—including its precursors and related metabolites—offers critical insights into metabolic disorders, nutritional interventions, mitochondrial function, and drug safety evaluations.

Why Perform Carnitine Metabolism Analysis?

Research and industry clients typically require carnitine metabolism analysis to answer questions such as:

How does carnitine availability impact energy production?
What is the effect of diet or supplementation on carnitine homeostasis?
Do candidate compounds interfere with mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation?
How does genetic regulation of carnitine biosynthetic enzymes influence metabolism?
Can multi-omics integration reveal biomarkers for metabolic health?

These questions demand precise quantification and pathway-level interpretation—capabilities that Creative Proteomics delivers through advanced analytical workflows.

Creative Proteomics's Carnitine Analysis Solutions

Quantitative Carnitine Profiling

Absolute quantification of L-carnitine and short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines across diverse biological matrices. High-sensitivity LC-MS/MS detection with LOD down to femtomole level and CV ≤10%.

Acylcarnitine Panel Analysis

Comprehensive coverage of free carnitine (C0) and acylcarnitines from C2 to C18, including saturated, unsaturated, and hydroxylated species. Suitable for mitochondrial function assessment and β-oxidation studies.

Targeted Pathway Analysis

Evaluation of carnitine biosynthesis pathway intermediates such as trimethyllysine (TML), hydroxytrimethyllysine (HTML), and γ-butyrobetaine (GBB). Integration with fatty acid oxidation markers for systemic energy metabolism profiling.

Isotope Tracer Studies (Optional)

¹³C- or ¹⁵N-labeled carnitine or precursors for flux analysis and dynamic turnover rate determination.

Enzyme Activity and Regulation Assessment (Customizable)

Activity profiling for key enzymes involved in carnitine biosynthesis and transport, such as TMLHE, BBD, and OCTN transporters.

Data Interpretation and Bioinformatics

Delivery of absolute concentrations, pathway-level visualization, and optional multi-omics integration with lipidomics and metabolomics datasets.

What Carnitine Can We Detect?

Category	Detected Compounds
Free Carnitine	L-Carnitine (C0)
Short-Chain Acylcarnitines	Acetylcarnitine (C2), Propionylcarnitine (C3), Butyrylcarnitine (C4), Isobutyrylcarnitine (C4-i), Valerylcarnitine (C5), Isovalerylcarnitine (C5-i)
Medium-Chain Acylcarnitines	Hexanoylcarnitine (C6), Octanoylcarnitine (C8), Decanoylcarnitine (C10), Dodecanoylcarnitine (C12)
Long-Chain Acylcarnitines	Tetradecanoylcarnitine (C14), C14:1, C14-OH, Hexadecanoylcarnitine (C16), C16:1, C16-OH, Octadecanoylcarnitine (C18), C18:1, C18:2, Hydroxy derivatives (C18-OH)
Very Long-Chain Acylcarnitines	C20, C20:1, C22, C22:1, C24, C24:1
Hydroxy and Dicarboxylic Acylcarnitines	3-Hydroxybutyrylcarnitine (C4-OH), 3-Hydroxyhexanoylcarnitine (C6-OH), 3-Hydroxyoctanoylcarnitine (C8-OH), Glutarylcarnitine (C5-DC), Malonylcarnitine (C3-DC), Succinylcarnitine (C4-DC), Methylmalonylcarnitine (C4-DC-methyl)
Carnitine Biosynthesis Intermediates	Trimethyllysine (TML), 3-Hydroxytrimethyllysine (HTML), γ-Butyrobetaine (GBB), Betaine
Optional Related Analytes	Choline, Acetylcholine, Acyl-CoA derivatives (for extended pathway profiling)

Advantages of Our Carnitine Analysis Services

High Sensitivity and Accuracy: LOD down to 0.1 ng/mL for carnitine and acylcarnitines, with precision CV ≤10%, supported by isotope-labeled internal standards.
Comprehensive Coverage: Detection of 70+ compounds, including free carnitine, C2–C24 acylcarnitines, hydroxylated/dicarboxylic derivatives, and biosynthetic intermediates.
Advanced LC-MS/MS Platforms: Triple quadrupole and Orbitrap systems deliver signal-to-noise >100:1, while UHPLC separation ensures resolution of isobaric species (e.g., C4 vs. C4-i).
High Recovery and Reproducibility: Extraction efficiency >85% across plasma, urine, and tissues, with calibration curve correlation R² >0.99 for reliable quantification.
Flexible Customization: Options for ¹³C/¹⁵N isotope tracer studies and integration with fatty acid oxidation profiling for in-depth energy metabolism research.

Workflow for Carnitine Analysis Service

1. Sample Receipt and Quality Check

Verify sample integrity, matrix type, and volume compliance. Assess storage conditions to maintain metabolite stability.

2. Metabolite Extraction and Stabilization

Apply optimized protocols for high-yield extraction (>85% recovery).

Use antioxidant and pH-controlled buffers to prevent carnitine degradation.

3. Targeted LC-MS/MS Analysis

Perform separation on UHPLC for clear resolution of isobaric acylcarnitines.

Quantification with triple quadrupole or Orbitrap systems using isotope-labeled internal standards.

4. Data Processing and Normalization

Calibration curve validation (R² >0.99) and isotopic correction for absolute accuracy. Normalization by sample type and internal standards.

5. Reporting and Data Delivery

Provide absolute concentrations, QC metrics, and annotated pathway maps. Optional integration with multi-omics data interpretation for broader insights.

Carnitine Analysis Workflow

Technology Platform for Carnitine Analysis Service

Chromatographic System

Instrument: Thermo Scientific™ UltiMate™ 3000 UHPLC or Waters ACQUITY UPLC
Column: C18 reverse-phase (e.g., 2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm)
Mobile Phases:
- A: Water + 0.1% formic acid
- B: Acetonitrile + 0.1% formic acid
Flow Rate: ~0.3 mL/min
Injection Volume: 2–5 μL
Gradient: Optimized for resolving short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines, including isobaric species.

Thermo Scientific™ Vanquish™ UHPLC Vanquish™ UHPLC (Figure from Thermo Scientific)

Mass Spectrometry Platform

Triple Quadrupole MS (Targeted Quantification):

Thermo Scientific™ TSQ Altis or AB Sciex QTRAP® 6500+
Ionization: ESI positive
Scan Mode: Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM)
Typical MRM Transitions:
- L-Carnitine: m/z 162 → 103
- Acetylcarnitine (C2): m/z 204 → 85
Capillary Voltage: ~3.5 kV
Source Temp: ~350 °C

Thermo Scientific™ Q Exactive™ HF-X Q Exactive™ HF-X (Figure from Thermo Scientifi)

High-Resolution MS (Confirmation/Discovery):

Thermo Q Exactive™ Orbitrap
Resolving Power: Up to 120,000 FWHM @ m/z 200
Mass Accuracy: <2 ppm

SCIEX Triple Quad™ 6500+ (Figure from Sciex)

Sample Requirements for Carnitine Analysis Service

Sample Type	Recommended Volume	Storage Condition	Notes
Plasma / Serum	≥ 100 µL	-80 °C	Collect in EDTA or heparin tubes; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Urine	≥ 500 µL	-80 °C	Store immediately after collection; adjust pH if required for stability.
Tissue (e.g., liver, muscle)	≥ 50 mg	Snap-freeze in liquid N₂; store at -80 °C	Homogenization in extraction buffer required prior to analysis.
Cell Pellets	≥ 1 × 10⁶ cells	-80 °C	Wash with cold PBS; remove media to minimize matrix effects.
Cell Culture Media	≥ 500 µL	-80 °C	Filter to remove debris; store immediately after collection.

Notes:

Avoid hemolysis during plasma or serum collection to prevent interference.
Do not use preservatives that may react with carnitine or acylcarnitines.
Ship samples on dry ice to maintain integrity.

Demo Results

LC-MS/MS chromatogram showing distinct peaks for C0, C2, and C16 acylcarnitines with retention times labeled.

Representative LC Chromatogram of Carnitines

Chromatogram showing separation of free carnitine (C0), acetylcarnitine (C2), and long-chain species (C16) using UHPLC-MS/MS with clear peak resolution.

Calibration curve of L-carnitine showing concentration versus peak area with regression line and R² value.

Calibration Curve for L-Carnitine Quantification

Standard curve for L-carnitine (0.1–1000 ng/mL) with linear regression (R² = 0.999) and isotopic internal standard correction.

Heatmap of CV% for five acylcarnitines across three concentrations with color gradient and numeric CV values.

QC Heatmap for Carnitine Assay

Heatmap of CV% for five acylcarnitines at three concentration levels. Color gradient reflects variability; numeric values show CV% for each condition.

FAQ of Carnitine Analysis Service

What is the typical sensitivity of your method for detecting carnitine and acylcarnitines?

Our LC-MS/MS platform achieves an LOD as low as 0.1 ng/mL for free carnitine and major acylcarnitines, ensuring trace-level detection in complex biological matrices.

Can you differentiate isobaric acylcarnitines such as C4 and C4-i?

Yes. Using UHPLC separation and optimized gradient conditions, we can resolve isobaric species like butyrylcarnitine (C4) and isobutyrylcarnitine (C4-i) before MS detection.

Do you provide analysis for hydroxylated and dicarboxylic acylcarnitines?

Yes. Our method covers hydroxyacylcarnitines (e.g., C4-OH, C8-OH) and dicarboxylic derivatives (e.g., malonylcarnitine, glutarylcarnitine), which are important for fatty acid oxidation disorder studies.

How do you ensure quantitative accuracy across different sample types?

We use isotope-labeled internal standards and validated calibration curves for all target analytes, with R² ≥ 0.99 and inter-batch QC monitoring (CV ≤10%).

What types of data interpretation support can you provide?

Beyond raw and processed data, we offer pathway-level visualization, statistical comparisons, and optional multi-omics integration with lipidomics and metabolomics datasets.

Can the analysis be used for metabolic flux or tracer studies?

Yes. We support 13C/15N isotope tracer experiments, enabling quantification of carnitine turnover rates and pathway flux.

How do you handle matrix effects for tissues and cell cultures?

Our extraction protocols include matrix-specific optimization (e.g., deproteinization, cleanup) and normalization strategies to minimize ion suppression and variability.

Do you offer expanded profiling beyond carnitine and acylcarnitines?

Yes. On request, we can include related metabolites such as trimethyllysine (TML), γ-butyrobetaine, and choline derivatives, supporting carnitine biosynthesis studies.

What quality control measures are included?

We perform blank runs, pooled QC samples, and spiked recovery tests in each batch, and provide CV% and recovery data in the report.

Learn about other Q&A about proteomics technology.

Load More FAQs

Publications

Here are some of the metabolomics-related papers published by our clients:

More Publications

Metabolomics Sample Submission Guidelines

Download our Metabolomics Sample Preparation Guide for essential instructions on proper sample collection, storage, and transport for optimal experimental results. The guide covers various sample types, including tissues, serum, urine, and cells, along with quantity requirements for untargeted and targeted metabolomics.

Download

Metabolomics Sample Submission Guidelines

* For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Our customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inquiry

Support Documents

We have prepared a variety of materials for anyone interested in our solutions. Here are some of our recommended materials for your review!
See All Resources→

From Our Clients

"I recently used their proteomics service for a project analyzing protein interactions in yeast models. The team was very responsive and helped clarify the methodology they employed, which made me feel confident in the results. The data quality was solid, with clear identification of several key proteins involved in our study. Their thorough analysis enabled me to pinpoint specific interactions that I hadn't considered before, which significantly improved the direction of my research. I appreciate their professionalism and support throughout the process."

Sarah Thompson, University of California, Berkeley

"Our lab collaborated with them on a project studying cancer biomarkers. The proteomics analysis provided was detailed and focused, specifically highlighting the differential expression of proteins between healthy and tumor samples. Their clear explanations of the data helped my team understand the biological implications. I also appreciated their willingness to revise the reports based on our feedback, ensuring that we had everything we needed for our publication. This collaborative spirit was invaluable."

Emily Rodriguez, Stanford University

"Our lab worked with them on a project studying the effects of diet on gut microbiota using proteomics. They used a label-free quantification method to analyze proteins in fecal samples before and after dietary intervention. The results showed significant changes in protein expression linked to microbial activity. This was pivotal for our hypothesis about diet-microbiota interactions. The clarity of their data presentation made it easy for our team to integrate these findings into our ongoing research."

Dr. Lisa Wong, University of Toronto

"My experience with Creative Proteomics during the mass spectrometry analysis was excellent. We sent in human saliva and mouse brain tissue samples, which they expertly analyzed using both LC-MS and GC-MS techniques. The results were invaluable, revealing key metabolites in the saliva and identifying biomarkers linked to brain function in the brain tissue."

Dr. Emily Carter, Senior Research Scientist

"The overall service from Creative Proteomics was outstanding. They made the entire process seamless and efficient, allowing us to focus on our research. We worked with leaf and root samples from various Arabidopsis genotypes for targeted metabolomics analysis. Their thorough profiling of primary and secondary metabolites gave us important insights into how the plants respond metabolically to environmental stress."

Dr. Laura Henderson, Plant Physiologist

"We had a pleasant collaboration with Creative Proteomics on mass spectrometry analysis of lipids. They conducted a detailed analysis of lipid species, providing us with important insights into lipid metabolism and its relationship with metabolic syndrome disease states."

Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Research Scientist

Online Inquiry

Please submit a detailed description of your project. We will provide you with a customized project plan to meet your research requests. You can also send emails directly to for inquiries.

Great Minds Choose Creative Proteomics