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99%min Ca-AKG
Nanjing Gemsen
CAS 71686-01-6
Introduction：
| Product Name | Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate Monohydrate; Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate; Ca-AKG |
| Appearance | White or off-white crystalline powder |
| CAS No. | 71686-01-6 |
| Molecular formula | C5H8CaO5 |
| Molecular weight | 188.19 |
| Sample | Available |
Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) is the calcium salt of alpha-ketoglutaric acid, a naturally occurring intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle—the central metabolic pathway through which cells oxidize nutrients to generate ATP. The compound is produced via fermentation technology, an approach that eliminates organic solvent residues and supports clean-label product positioning.
The calcium salt form offers distinct advantages over free AKG: enhanced thermal and storage stability, sustained dissolution behavior in the gastrointestinal tract, and a low sensory impact that simplifies formulation work. Free AKG, by contrast, is rapidly absorbed and cleared, limiting its sustained availability. Endogenous AKG production declines with advancing age—a physiological pattern documented in the literature and frequently cited as the rationale for exogenous supplementation.
Specification:
Items | Specifications | Results |
Appearance | White or off-white crystalline powder, with inherent odor of the product, no abnormal odor, no visible foreign impurities in normal vision | Conforms |
Purity | ≥99.0% | 99.6% |
Calcium Ion Content | 18.0%-21.0% | 19.5% |
pH | 6.0-8.0 | 7.2 |
Loss on Drying | ≤1.0% | 0.01% |
Mercury (Hg) | ≤1.5 mg/kg | Not Detected |
Cadmium (Cd) | ≤2.5 mg/kg | Not Detected |
Lead (Pb) | ≤2.0 mg/kg | 0.16 mg/kg |
Arsenic (As) | ≤3.0 mg/kg | 0.09 mg/kg |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1000 CFU/g | Not Detected |
| Mold and Yeast | ≤50 CFU/g | Not Detected |
Staphylococcus Aureus | Not Detected | Conforms |
Salmonella | Not Detected | Conforms |
Function and Application:
Ca-AKG is incorporated into oral supplement formats for adults seeking to maintain cellular energy metabolism. As a TCA cycle intermediate, it provides metabolic substrate that supports normal physiological function.
Formats: Capsules, tablets, stick packs, effervescent powders
Key attributes: Low bitterness profile in practical applications; compressible for tableting; readily disperses in acidic media with mild agitation
Typical use: 300–1000 mg/day (based on human observational studies)
Physical activity places increased demand on energy metabolism and nitrogen balance. Ca-AKG is included in recovery formulations to support these metabolic processes.
Formats: Protein blends, RTD beverages, recovery powders
Key attributes: Heat-stable at pasteurization and UHT temperatures; mixes uniformly with no flavor interference; compatible with plant-based and dairy protein matrices, amino acids, and electrolyte systems
Typical use: 500–1500 mg per serving, typically consumed post-exercise
Ca-AKG provides both alpha-ketoglutarate and calcium ions in a single molecule, offering dual contribution for skeletal formulations. Literature indicates that approximately 25% of dietary AKG is converted to proline in enterocytes—proline being a primary substrate for collagen synthesis.
Formats: Multivitamin/mineral combinations, specialty tablets, powder blends
Key attributes: Stable across typical formulation pH ranges; compatible with vitamin D, K₂, and magnesium; calcium content must be accounted for in total daily mineral calculations
Typical use: 500–1500 mg/day for general applications; up to 6 g/day AKG-equivalent in research settings
The intestinal epithelium has high metabolic activity and requires continuous energy substrate. AKG serves as a precursor for glutamate and glutamine through transamination reactions. The calcium salt's sustained dissolution behavior provides prolonged AKG availability to the gut mucosa.
Formats: Gut health blends, liquid applications, fortified foods
Key attributes: Compatible with prebiotic fibers and probiotics; no reported interference with product texture in practical applications
Typical use: 300–500 mg/day for intestinal-targeted formulations
Ca-AKG's thermal stability, neutral sensory characteristics, and acid solubility enable incorporation into a wide range of food products without compromising flavor or processing efficiency.
Formats: Wellness beverages, snack bars, dairy products, confectionery
Key attributes: Withstands baking, pasteurization, and extrusion (>300°C melting point); low impact on product flavor and appearance; fermentation origin supports clean-label positioning
Typical use: 200–500 mg per serving, with multiple servings contributing to total daily intake
Ca-AKG is being explored for use in skincare applications. The compound's low molecular weight may facilitate dermal penetration, though systematic studies remain limited. This represents a developing application direction.
Formats: Serums, moisturizers, lotions, aqueous masks
Key attributes: Stable across cosmetic pH ranges (4–7); compatible with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and botanical extracts; no discoloration or precipitation observed under standard processing conditions
Note: This remains an early-stage application with limited published data; formulation development is recommended on a case-by-case basis
Q1: How does Ca-AKG compare to free alpha-ketoglutarate in terms of stability and bioavailability?
The calcium salt offers substantially enhanced stability compared to free AKG. Free AKG and its sodium salt dissolve rapidly upon ingestion, leading to transient blood concentration spikes followed by rapid renal clearance (half-life < 1 hour). The calcium salt, due to its sparing water solubility, dissolves more slowly in the gastrointestinal tract, providing sustained AKG availability over an extended period—a characteristic frequently utilized in sustained-release formulation strategies.
Q2: How does Ca-AKG perform in heat-processed foods and beverages?
With a melting point exceeding 300°C, Ca-AKG withstands standard food processing operations including pasteurization (72°C, 15 seconds), UHT treatment (135°C, 4 seconds), baking (180°C, 20 minutes), and extrusion. Verification under specific processing parameters (temperature, time, pH, and formulation matrix) is recommended for each application. Stability data for defined conditions is available upon request.
Q3: What formulation compatibilities should be considered?
In practical formulation experience, Ca-AKG has demonstrated compatibility with common excipients, vitamins (water-soluble and fat-soluble), amino acids, and food hydrocolloids. It performs well in both acidified beverage systems (pH 3–5) and neutral pH matrices. The calcium component should be accounted for in total mineral calculations.
Q4: Is Ca-AKG suitable for clean-label and naturally positioned products?
Yes. The fermentation-based production process uses no animal-derived materials and no organic solvents in the bioconversion step. Downstream recovery employs calcium salt precipitation. This production profile supports clean-label, natural-origin, and non-GMO positioning. Raw material origin documentation is available to support marketing and regulatory claims.
Q5: What are the recommended storage conditions and shelf life?
Store in sealed containers, protected from moisture. Literature recommends −20°C for long-term preservation, as the compound is noted to be hygroscopic. For specific shelf-life information, consult the stability report provided with each product batch. Ambient-temperature storage may be acceptable for defined periods based on actual stability data—please refer to the batch-specific report for confirmed expiry.
