L-Glutathione

L-glutathione reference formula at a default of 500 mg per serving, developed as a capsule, tablet or powder.

L-Glutathione is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient reduced glutathione product around 500 mg per serving. The brand sets the final amount for its market.

Capsule is the lead format, with tablet and powder developed alongside. The work centers on a thiol tripeptide that oxidizes, smells of sulfur and absorbs moisture, so the raw material grade, the pack and the process atmosphere matter more than the fill weight.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
L-Glutathione500 mgReduced L-glutathione (GSH) powder, specified on a declared-weight basis; 500 mg per servingS-acetyl glutathione, a different compound with its own specification and input calculation

The amount is stated as mg of reduced L-glutathione. Glutathione is C10H17N3O6S, 307.33 g/mol (PubChem CID 124886). It is a free peptide without a salt or hydrate conversion; the oxidized dimer is a different compound and the specification limits it.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around antioxidant nutrition. L-glutathione is included as the single ingredient so that the concept stays on one endogenous tripeptide.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Antioxidant defense nutrientL-GlutathioneA review describes glutathione as a tripeptide that takes part in the antioxidant defense and body detoxification systems and is produced mainly by the liver [1]. Evidence: Referenced

The amount is a design choice. The review in [1] describes glutathione and the oral supplementation literature in general and does not test this formula, so any claim on a finished product is reviewed for each market.

Available Formats

Reference labels are mostly capsules, with powders and tablets behind them; these three formats are developed here.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule1 capsuleL-glutathione 500 mg60 or 90 capsulesHypromellose capsule shell, flow agentLead format; blended fill
Tablet1 tabletL-glutathione 500 mg60 tabletsMicrocrystalline cellulose, silica, magnesium stearateCompressed unit; coating needed against moisture
Powder1 stick pack, 3 gL-glutathione 500 mg30 stick packsSweetener, acid, flavor, flow agentDissolves into a drink; odor and taste need masking

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. L-glutathione is assumed at 100% of its declared weight, so 500 mg per serving needs 500 mg of raw material; the supplier’s assay is applied once the grade is chosen.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Capsule500 mg560 mg per capsule60 mgPowder flow, fill weight variation, disintegration, glutathione assay
Tablet500 mg650 mg tablet weight150 mgCompression, hardness, coating moisture barrier, assay after storage
Powder500 mg3 g per stick pack2,500 mgMoisture uptake in the sachet, dissolution, odor and taste

Liquid and gummy are separate projects, because glutathione in water oxidizes and needs its own stability work in those systems.

Formulation Considerations

Oxidation of the thiol. Reduced glutathione turns into its oxidized form in the presence of oxygen and moisture. Oxygen-barrier packaging, a desiccant, low-humidity blending and a stability assay of the reduced form are the main controls.
Sulfur odor and taste. Glutathione carries a faint sulfur smell and a bitter taste. In capsules and coated tablets they stay inside the unit; in the powder format flavor and sweetener choices are tested for masking.
Fill weight. At 500 mg the raw material fills most of a size 0 capsule, so the flow agent level is kept small, and a size 00 capsule is considered if a flow agent or a second ingredient is added.
Moisture uptake. The powder is hygroscopic and clumps in a humid room. Moisture limits on the raw material and humidity-controlled filling are part of the specification.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the amount, the form, the format and the add-ons.

ParameterRangeNote
L-glutathione per serving100, 250, 500 or 1000 mgExamples for the brand; unit size rises with the amount
FormReduced L-glutathione or S-acetyl glutathioneDifferent compounds; input recalculated
FormatCapsule, tablet or powderLiquid and gummy are separate projects
Add-onsVitamin C, alpha-lipoic acidA second ingredient changes the fill weight and the oxidation plan

The pilot run confirms the reduced-form assay after a short stability hold, capsule fill weight, and the odor of the stick pack in water.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
PowderLemon, orange, berryStrong fruit flavors cover the sulfur note

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (500 mg on the label of CF008637; example DSLD labels 65934, 239371, 247696). The label names the ingredient as L-glutathione; the reduced form is set.
SpecificationSet in formulationReduced L-glutathione at 500 mg per serving; assay, oxidized glutathione limit, moisture, microbial 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] Fathizadeh H, Rezaeipour H, Nouri F, et al. A review of the potential benefits and limitations of oral glutathione supplementation. Inflammopharmacology. 2026;34(9):6089-6108. DOI · PubMed

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