L-Theanine 99% Pure Powder — Premium Amino Acid for Supplement Manufacturing

L-Theanine Overview

L-Theanine, also known as Theanine, Gamma-glutamylethylamide or N-Ethyl-L-glutamine, is a naturally occurring amino-acid analog identified by CAS number 3081-61-6, molecular formula C7H14N2O3 and molecular weight 174.2 g/mol. It is the principal free amino acid in green tea leaves, where it contributes to the characteristic umami flavor.

For the dietary supplement industry, L-Theanine is positioned as a relaxation and cognitive-wellness ingredient, commonly formulated for calm focus, stress relief and sleep-quality concepts. It is supplied as a white crystalline powder in food grade conforming to USP and EP standards. Purecium supplies food-grade L-Theanine for dietary supplement manufacturing, serving distributors, contract manufacturers, private-label producers and finished supplement brands.

Because L-Theanine originates from tea and can be produced through controlled fermentation, it fits clean-label product concepts such as naturally sourced relaxation and mood support. Its neutral sensory profile, excellent stability and compatibility with common dosage formats make it one of the most widely specified amino-acid ingredients in modern wellness formulations.

Source & Ingredient Identity

L-Theanine occurs naturally in green tea, where it is the dominant free amino acid and the source of the tea's umami character. Commercial L-Theanine for supplements is manufactured through two principal routes: microbial fermentation using a non-GMO corn-based substrate, and chemical synthesis from pyroglutamic acid. Both routes deliver the identical molecule with CAS number 3081-61-6, but the origin must be confirmed because it affects labeling, pricing and regulatory positioning.

For fermented L-Theanine, origin is verified through Carbon-14 (C14) analysis, which measures biobased carbon content in the molecule. Fermented material typically shows biobased carbon above 97 percent, clearly distinguishing it from synthetic material derived from petrochemical feedstocks. For B2B buyers, the C14 report is objective evidence that a fermentation claim is genuine, and it should be requested with every batch alongside the Certificate of Analysis.

Green tea extraction remains the traditional route and is mainly relevant to tea-leaf concentrates rather than bulk supplement-grade L-Theanine. For commercial supplement manufacturing, fermentation and synthesis are the practical sources, and buyers should verify the stated source on the specification sheet rather than relying on marketing language alone. The grade, assay and origin of every lot are documented on the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.

Key Characteristics of L-Theanine

L-Theanine is a white crystalline powder with excellent water solubility, which simplifies incorporation into beverages, gummies, sachets and liquid formats without the dispersion problems associated with poorly soluble actives. It dissolves readily at room temperature, supporting clean, transparent formulations in ready-to-drink and powdered products, and its solubility profile is a practical advantage for functional beverage development.

The molecule is heat-stable across typical food and beverage processing conditions, including pasteurization, hot filling and retort processing, and it remains stable at low pH, making it suitable for acidic and fruit-flavored beverages. Its mild, slightly sweet taste with umami notes is well accepted by consumers and generally requires little flavor masking in finished formulas.

Two particle-size grades support different manufacturing processes: a 60-80 mesh fine powder for capsules, sachets and powder blends, and a 20-40 mesh granule engineered for direct compression tableting. The granular grade improves flowability and reduces segregation in high-speed tablet presses, allowing formulators to select the grade that matches their existing production line without process changes.

L-Theanine Manufacturing

Fermented L-Theanine is produced through a controlled biotechnological route. Non-GMO corn is processed into a glucose-based substrate for microbial fermentation, and the resulting glutamic acid is enzymatically coupled with ethylamine to form the theanine molecule. The fermentation broth is then purified, concentrated and crystallized into a white crystalline powder, with each production stage controlled to maintain batch-to-batch consistency.

The synthetic route starts from pyroglutamic acid, which is converted to L-Theanine and processed through purification and crystallization to reach up to 99 percent HPLC purity, while the fermented grade is standardized at 98 percent HPLC. Every finished lot, fermented or synthetic, is verified by HPLC for identification and assay, with heavy metals, residual solvents, moisture and microbial limits reported on the Certificate of Analysis. Fermented L-Theanine for supplement manufacturing is therefore fully documented from substrate to finished drum.

Production capacity is substantial: approximately 1,200 metric tons per year from fermentation and 300 metric tons per year from chemical synthesis, for a combined 1,500 metric tons annually. This scale, together with a 24-month shelf life under recommended storage, gives distributors and contract manufacturers a dependable, long-term supply base for commercial programs.

Applications of L-Theanine

L-Theanine is used across dietary supplements, functional beverages, gummies and tablets, typically in relaxation, focus, stress-management and sleep-support concepts. In the brain, L-Theanine promotes alpha-wave activity, which is associated with a relaxed but alert mental state. Its effects are generally described as calming without causing drowsiness, which distinguishes it from sedative ingredients, and this makes bulk L-Theanine for stress-relief, focus and sleep-support formulations a versatile platform ingredient.

A well-documented synergy exists with caffeine. Published clinical studies suggest that combining L-Theanine with caffeine supports attention, alertness and task performance while smoothing the jittery effects of caffeine alone, which has made the pairing a standard platform in focus and nootropic formulations. Additional published research has examined L-Theanine in sleep quality, stress reactivity and cognitive performance contexts.

Formulation flexibility is broad. L-Theanine dissolves easily in ready-to-drink and powdered beverages, compresses cleanly in direct-compression tablets, and survives gummy manufacturing without significant degradation. It is commonly co-formulated with magnesium, GABA, botanicals such as lemon balm or chamomile, and caffeine in morning-focus products and evening wind-down blends. For brands, this format versatility supports coherent product line extensions across day and night use cases.

Regulatory recognition supports mainstream use. L-Theanine is recognized by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements as an amino acid of interest in tea and dietary supplements, and its safety has been evaluated for use in foods and beverages in multiple jurisdictions, including GRAS status in the United States. B2B customers should still verify permitted use levels and claim language for each destination market, because regulations differ between jurisdictions.

Manufacturing & Quality Control

L-Theanine is produced in facilities operating under ISO 9001 and FSSC 22000 certified quality systems, with Kosher and Halal certification available on request. The ingredient is manufactured to food grade conforming to USP and EP standards, and the fermented grade is recognized under FDA GRAS for its intended uses, supporting regulatory acceptance in the United States market.

Every batch is tested by HPLC for identification and assay, with release testing covering heavy metals, residual solvents, moisture, related substances and microbiological limits. For fermented lots, Carbon-14 analysis is performed to confirm biobased carbon above 97 percent, providing documented proof of the fermentation origin. All results are compiled on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.

Stability data support a 24-month shelf life under recommended storage conditions, and analytical methods follow the current USP and European Pharmacopoeia approaches for amino-acid ingredients. Each commercial lot is fully traceable from starting material to finished drum, and the full documentation package includes the specification sheet, SDS, allergen and gluten statements, non-GMO declarations and stability summaries to support raw-material approval and finished-product registration.

L-Theanine for B2B Supplement Manufacturing

Purecium supplies L-Theanine exclusively as a B2B raw material for distributors, contract manufacturers, private-label producers and finished supplement brands. The minimum order quantity is 25 kg, packed in 25 kg drums with food-grade inner liners, and samples, specification sheets and Certificates of Analysis are available before commitment. This structure keeps evaluation simple for procurement teams validating a new raw material.

Supply is organized around speed and scale. Inventory staged at the US warehouse supports pickup or delivery within approximately two days for North American customers, while direct shipments from China typically arrive within one week of dispatch. With combined fermentation and synthetic capacity of 1,500 metric tons per year, the supply chain can support both spot orders and long-term supply agreements.

As a bulk L-Theanine powder supplier, Purecium provides the complete documentation package B2B buyers need: batch-specific COA, SDS, technical data sheets, stability summaries and regulatory-support documents, together with formulation guidance for tablets, gummies and beverages. For brands developing finished products, white-label and custom-blend programs are supported, with samples and export documentation coordinated so L-Theanine moves smoothly from ingredient selection to commercial launch.

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

How does bulk L-theanine compare with green tea extract, GABA, and magnesium in formulation, dosing, handling, and regulatory status?
L-theanine (CAS 3081-61-6) is a single, water-soluble amino acid sold as a high-purity bulk powder, typically ≥98% by HPLC. Green tea extract is a botanical mixture whose composition varies with the extraction ratio and decaffeination process; its L-theanine content is usually low unless it is a standardized decaffeinated fraction. GABA (CAS 56-12-2) is a structurally related amino acid, while magnesium is an elemental mineral supplied as various salts. These differences affect assay, dosing, and handling. Typical daily doses in finished products are 100–200 mg for L-theanine, 100–300 mg for green tea extract (standardized to EGCG or total catechins), 100–300 mg for GABA, and 100–400 mg for elemental magnesium. L-theanine is freely soluble in water, stable as a dry powder under ambient conditions, and is generally handled without special precautions beyond standard dust control. Green tea extract may be hygroscopic and can require protection from moisture and light; GABA is also water-soluble and stable, while magnesium salts vary widely in solubility and flowability. Regulatory status differs by market. L-theanine is notified or approved as a novel food or dietary ingredient in several jurisdictions, including the EU and US, subject to local rules. Green tea extract is widely used as a botanical extract but may face caffeine limits or EGCG intake guidance in some markets. GABA is accepted in Japan and the US but has restricted or novel-food status in parts of the EU. Magnesium is an approved nutrient with established NRV/RDA labeling. For B2B formulation, L-theanine offers a defined single-molecule specification, consistent assay, and simple water-based incorporation. Green tea extract requires tighter specification control for polyphenol and caffeine content. GABA is a direct alternative for similar dosage forms, and magnesium is used for mineral fortification rather than amino-acid positioning. Documentation for all four typically includes COA, MSDS, and, where applicable, allergen, GMO, and country-of-origin statements.

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.