Citicoline (CDP-Choline) Bulk Powder for Cognitive and Neural-Health Supplement Formulas

Citicoline Overview

Citicoline, also called CDP-choline, is a naturally occurring nucleotide that serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, the major phospholipid of cell membranes, and of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter. The compound carries CAS 987-78-0, molecular formula C14H26N4O11P2 and molecular weight 488.32 g/mol, and it is supplied commercially either as the free form or as the sodium salt (CAS 33818-15-4).

For the dietary-supplement industry, citicoline is used in cognitive, focus and neural-health products, where its dual role in membrane phospholipid synthesis and acetylcholine production is the scientific basis, supported by a substantial body of published clinical research on cognition and attention. Purecium supplies Citicoline as a B2B raw material for distributors, contract manufacturers, private-label producers and finished supplement brands, in free-form or sodium-salt specification with assay of 98-102%.

Source & Ingredient Identity

Purecium Citicoline is produced by controlled synthesis from cytidine and choline precursors, followed by purification and crystallization to yield the white crystalline product. Commercial material is supplied either as citicoline free form (CAS 987-78-0, C14H26N4O11P2, 488.32 g/mol) or as citicoline sodium (CAS 33818-15-4, C14H25N4NaO11P2, 510.31 g/mol), and buyers should specify the desired form and assay basis when qualifying the material.

The declared product is citicoline, also written CDP-choline or cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, with the free form at CAS 987-78-0 and the sodium salt at CAS 33818-15-4. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder with good water solubility, assayed at 98-102% with controlled related substances, and the specific salt form and water content should be confirmed on the batch Certificate of Analysis.

Key Characteristics of Citicoline

1. Defined nucleotide with a dual neurochemical role. Citicoline (C14H26N4O11P2, 488.32 g/mol) is both a phosphatidylcholine precursor for membrane phospholipid synthesis and a source of choline for acetylcholine production, a combination that underlies its cognitive-support positioning and its large published clinical research base.

2. Two supply forms with the same active core. The free form (CAS 987-78-0) and the sodium salt (CAS 33818-15-4, C14H25N4NaO11P2, 510.31 g/mol) deliver the same citicoline active with slightly different molecular weight and sodium content; both are assayed at 98-102% with controlled impurities, and the choice affects label declaration and dosing calculations.

3. Stable crystalline profile with good formulation flexibility. Citicoline is a white crystalline powder with good water solubility, suiting capsules, tablets, sachets and beverage systems. It is vegan, allergen-free, gluten-free, non-GMO and non-irradiated, and should be stored sealed in a cool, dry place with standard moisture protection.

Citicoline Manufacturing

Citicoline is manufactured by a controlled synthetic route from cytidine and choline-derived precursors, in which the CDP (cytidine diphosphate) structure is assembled enzymatically or chemically and the product is purified by chromatographic and crystallization steps. The final form is isolated either as the free zwitterionic molecule or as the sodium salt, dried under controlled conditions and milled to specification.

Finished lots are tested by validated HPLC for assay, which is specified at 98-102%, and for related substances including cytidine, choline and CDP-related impurities. Additional testing covers identification, loss on drying, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbiology, following current pharmacopeial general chapters, and results are reported on the batch Certificate of Analysis.

Applications of Citicoline

Cognitive and focus formulas are the primary application of citicoline. It is used in nootropic and brain-health products for memory, focus and mental-energy positioning, where its membrane-phospholipid and acetylcholine mechanisms are the intended contribution, and a substantial body of published clinical research has examined citicoline in cognitive contexts, including age-related cognitive decline.

Neural-health and eye-health products form the second cluster, since citicoline research also extends to visual pathways and neural tissue support, and it appears in premium capsules, tablets, sachets and beverages. Formulators should confirm the regulatory framework per market: in the United States citicoline is used within the FDA dietary-supplement structure/function framework, while in the European Union citicoline status should be confirmed against novel-food rules before food-supplement use.

Manufacturing & Quality Control

Purecium Citicoline is produced in facilities operating under ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 certified quality systems, with Kosher and Halal certification available. Every lot is tested for identity, HPLC assay of 98-102%, related substances, loss on drying, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbiology, with the salt form confirmed before release.

Each commercial lot is traceable from raw-material intake through synthesis and purification to the finished drum, and every batch is released on a Certificate of Analysis documenting assay, impurity profile and physical data. Purecium also provides the specification sheet, SDS, allergen and gluten statements, non-GMO declarations and stability data on request.

Citicoline for B2B Supplement Manufacturing

Purecium supplies Citicoline exclusively as a B2B raw material for distributors, contract manufacturers, private-label producers and finished supplement brands. The minimum order quantity is 25 kg; citicoline is packed in 25 kg drums with food-grade polyethylene inner bags, and samples with full documentation are available before commitment.

For North American customers, inventory is staged at Purecium's US warehouse, enabling pickup or delivery within approximately two days. Global delivery covers Hong Kong, mainland China, the EU and other regions, with export documentation prepared for every shipment, and Purecium provides specification and application guidance plus technical and regulatory communication to support formulation and registration in each destination market.

Reviewed by the Chief Quality Assurance / Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Purecium for technical accuracy and regulatory alignment.

How does bulk citicoline compare with Alpha-GPC, choline bitartrate, and huperzine A in formulation, dosing, handling, and regulatory terms?
Citicoline (CAS 987-78-0) is an intermediate in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, supplied as a highly water-soluble, hygroscopic powder. Alpha-GPC (CAS 28319-77-9) is a choline donor with higher choline density per gram but is often supplied as a viscous liquid or unstable powder. Choline bitartrate (CAS 87-67-2) is a simple salt with lower potency and typical doses of 500–1000 mg. Huperzine A (CAS 102518-79-6) is an alkaloid acetylcholinesterase inhibitor dosed in micrograms, not a choline donor. In bulk B2B formulation, these differences drive specification, dosing, and handling choices. Dosing: Citicoline is typically used at 250–500 mg/day in finished products, with bulk specifications often 98% HPLC. Alpha-GPC is dosed at 300–600 mg/day, but its hygroscopic nature and potential to degrade require tighter moisture control. Choline bitartrate is dosed at 500–1000 mg/day due to lower choline content (about 41%). Huperzine A is dosed at 50–200 mcg/day and is not interchangeable on a gram-for-gram basis. Formulators should adjust label claims accordingly. Handling: Citicoline is water-soluble and stable under dry conditions, but it is hygroscopic and should be stored sealed below 25°C. Alpha-GPC is more challenging: it is highly hygroscopic and may require desiccant or liquid handling. Choline bitartrate is relatively stable and easy to handle. Huperzine A is potent and requires strict containment to avoid cross-contamination. All four should be processed with appropriate dust control. Regulatory: In the EU, citicoline is authorized as a novel food ingredient for specific uses; Alpha-GPC has a more restricted novel food status. Choline bitartrate is widely permitted as a nutrient source. Huperzine A is not authorized as a food ingredient in the EU and is sold as a supplement in some markets under different rules. Documentation for bulk citicoline typically includes CoA, MSDS, and novel food compliance statements. Buyers should verify current local regulations before purchase.

Comparison in table form.
The table below sets out the parameters that determine how each material is specified, dosed and documented in a finished formulation.

What is the difference between citicoline free form and citicoline sodium, and which should a bulk buyer specify?
Citicoline is supplied in two commercial forms that differ only in the counter-ion, and the choice affects the declared assay basis, the weight of material per dose and handling requirements. The free form (CAS 987-78-0, molecular formula C14H26N4O11P2, molecular weight 488.32 g/mol) is the inner salt of cytidine diphosphate choline. Citicoline sodium (CAS 33818-15-4, molecular formula C14H25N4NaO11P2, molecular weight 510.31 g/mol) carries a sodium counter-ion, which raises the molecular weight by approximately 22 g/mol. Because of that difference, the same gram weight of the two materials does not deliver the same amount of citicoline base: converting a sodium-salt specification to a free-form basis requires the molecular-weight ratio, roughly 0.957. Four practical points matter in B2B purchasing. First, label and specification sheets must state which form is used, because "citicoline" alone is ambiguous. Second, the sodium salt is the more common commercial form for oral supplements and is generally less hygroscopic, so it handles better in dry blending and stores with less risk of caking. Third, both forms are assayed by HPLC at 98-102% and are supplied as white crystalline powder, so the distinction will not be visible on appearance alone. Fourth, documentation is identical in scope (COA, SDS, specification sheet) but the assay basis differs. Purecium supplies both citicoline free form and citicoline sodium as bulk raw material with a 98-102% HPLC assay, packed at 25 kg per drum, with MOQ from 25 kg and full documentation for formulation and regulatory review.