L-Glutamine

Single-ingredient L-glutamine reference formula at 5,000 mg per serving, developed as a powder, with a capsule option at a smaller serving.

L-Glutamine is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient amino acid product at a default amount of 5,000 mg (5 g) per serving. L-glutamine is the only active ingredient, so the development work centers on a gram-level load: scoop or stick-pack size, dissolving behavior and the capsule count when the same active is offered in capsules.

Powder is the lead format because 5 g is a natural single scoop or stick pack. The capsule version works at a smaller serving of 1,000 mg (two capsules), since the same 5 g would need ten capsules; the capsule serving is a separate option for brands that want a portable format.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
L-Glutamine5000 mg (default amount)L-glutamine, free-form fermentation-grade powder; specification 5,000 mg L-glutamine per servingMicronized or instantized grade for better mixing in water; the input stays on an L-glutamine basis

Amounts are stated as mg of L-glutamine (C5H10N2O3, 146.14 g/mol; PubChem CID 5961). L-glutamine is the free amino acid, so no salt conversion applies; a micronized grade is calculated back to the same L-glutamine amount using its assay.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around daily amino acid intake and general nutrition. L-glutamine is included as the single active so that the amount, the grade and the flavor system can be set without interaction with other actives.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Daily amino acid intakeL-GlutamineIncluded as the most abundant amino acid in the body, with consumption by immune cells similar to or greater than that of glucose [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Intestinal barrier nutritionL-GlutamineA meta-analysis of 10 randomized trials found no significant overall effect of glutamine on intestinal permeability, with a significant reduction in the subgroup given the highest doses [2]. Evidence: Mixed

A single amino acid at one stated scoop keeps the specification short. The review in [1] notes that evidence for outcomes of supplementation in ill and stressed individuals is still open, so the amount and the target market are decisions for the brand.

Available Formats

The glutamine reference formula is built for a powder version and a capsule version; pack counts are suggestions that the brand can adjust.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Powder1 scoop or stick pack5000 mg300 g tub or 30 stick packsFlow agent, sweetener, flavor, citric acidLead format; gram-level load in a single scoop
Capsule2 capsules1000 mg120 capsules (60 servings)Flow agent, lubricant, capsule shellPortable option at a smaller serving

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input is the labeled amount divided by the assumed assay of the raw material, taken at 100% L-glutamine, so 5000 mg needs 5000 mg of raw material per powder serving.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Powder5000 mg per scoop5500 mg per scoop500 mgFlow, dissolution in water, caking on storage, content assay
Capsule500 mg per capsule (2 per serving)560 mg per capsule60 mg per capsuleFill weight variation, flow, content assay

Tablet and ready-to-drink versions are not offered. A 5 g tablet is impractical, and a liquid needs its own stability work on the dissolved amino acid.

Formulation Considerations

Gram-level scoop. At 5000 mg of raw material, the scoop volume is set by the powder density, so tub size and scoop size follow from a density measurement of the chosen grade. Flavor and sweetener are kept small so that the active remains most of the serving.
Mixing in water. A free amino acid powder dissolves slowly in cold water, and a micronized or instantized grade shortens the mixing step. Dissolution time and sediment in the glass are checked for each grade before the grade is fixed.
Capsule count. The capsule option is built around 500 mg per capsule; a 5 g serving would be ten capsules, so the capsule serving is set at 1,000 mg and the label states the number of capsules per serving.
Evidence and amount tier. The meta-analysis in [2] reports an effect on intestinal permeability only in the subgroup given more than 30 g per day, while overall there was no significant effect. The amount tier is therefore a decision for the brand and its target market, and the dose limit for each sales market is reviewed before a product is developed.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the amount per serving, the grade, the format and the taste system.

ParameterRangeNote
Amount per serving500, 1000, 4500 or 5000 mgOptions for the brand; capsule count or scoop size changes with the tier
GradeStandard, micronized or instantizedAffects mixing time and scoop density
FormatPowder or capsuleTablet and ready-to-drink are separate projects
Pack size30 to 120 servingsSet by the brand
Add-onsElectrolytes, vitamin C, zincElectrolytes or vitamin C change scoop density and the taste plan

The pilot run confirms scoop density and flow of the chosen grade, mixing time in water, capsule fill weight in the capsule version, and the content assay of the first units against the labeled amount.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
PowderUnflavored, lemon, mixed berryThe base is nearly neutral, so a light flavor or none suits an add-to-drink product

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (5000 mg on the label of CF000314; example DSLD labels 2125, 2711, 9585). The label names the ingredient as L-glutamine; free-form L-glutamine is set as the form.
SpecificationSet in formulationL-glutamine, free form, 5,000 mg per serving; purity, assay and heavy-metal limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Cruzat V, Macedo Rogero M, Noel Keane K, et al. Glutamine: Metabolism and Immune Function, Supplementation and Clinical Translation. Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1564. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Abbasi F, Haghighat Lari MM, Khosravi GR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of glutamine supplementation on gut permeability in adults. Amino Acids. 2024;56(1):60. DOI · PubMed

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