L-Lysine Dihydrochloride: Detailed Product Description

What is L-Lysine Dihydrochloride?

L-Lysine Dihydrochloride falls in the family of essential amino acids, crucial for various biological functions but not produced naturally by the human body. This compound typically appears as a white crystalline solid, frequently encountered in the animal feed industry, nutritional supplements, pharmaceuticals, and even select food processing applications. Its chemical stability and purity remain vital where nutritional profiles matter, especially in large-scale manufacturing and raw materials procurement.

Chemical Structure and Formula

The molecular structure features lysine combined with two hydrochloride molecules, forming a stable salt. The molecular formula reads as C6H14N2O2·2HCl, with a molecular weight of approximately 210.65 g/mol. This composition influences not just its stability and shelf-life, but also its ability to dissolve in water and form solutions essential in industrial processes and scientific research. Many users recognize its straightforward structure—crystalline, clean, and easy to identify among raw materials.

Physical Properties

L-Lysine Dihydrochloride usually comes as white or nearly white crystals or powder, sometimes processed into flakes or pearls for easier transport or mixing. Its density averages at about 1.28 g/cm³, and it holds a melting point near 260°C when decomposition begins. These crystalline materials dissolve easily in water, creating clear, colorless solutions that measure as neutral or slightly acidic on pH tests, depending on concentration. I have worked with both its solid and solution forms, noticing how the powder blends well in various manufacturing lines while the pearl or flake types reduce airborne dust, which can be a significant concern in busy production spaces.

Specifications and Forms

Most suppliers guarantee purity of at least 98.5% on a dry basis. You’ll see it offered as free-flowing powders, compact flakes, spherical pearls, and sometimes as a prepared liquid for direct dosing. Each form serves its purpose: powders for rapid blending in feed mills, pearls for measured additions with less spillage, crystals for pharmaceutical compounding, and liquids for efficient integration in food or beverage processing. Concentrated solutions often come in bulk for users who prefer to skip the dust and mess associated with dry ingredients. Granularity and flow properties factor heavily into whether a feed manufacturer or food company chooses a solid or liquid.

HS Code and Regulation

L-Lysine Dihydrochloride trades globally under HS Code 29224100. This harmonized system code classifies it under amino acids and derivatives, making it easier for companies and customs officials to track, tax, and inspect shipments. In my experience with global supply chains, correct HS code listing speeds up processing and reduces the chance of costly border delays or regulatory confusion, especially as documentation standards tighten internationally.

Safety and Hazards

As a chemical, L-Lysine Dihydrochloride is generally considered safe for handling and use in animal and human nutrition, provided standard precautions are followed. Direct exposure of powders to eyes or inhalation may cause irritation; routine use of dust masks and gloves limits these risks. Storage needs to focus on dry, cool conditions away from incompatible materials and high humidity. Published safety data sheets rate its toxicity low, though accidental ingestion of high concentrations should be avoided unless specifically formulated for consumption. Large-scale handling equipment often features dust collection points and sealed transfer lines, which minimizes exposure risks and keeps workplace air cleaner.

Application Across Industries

The most common use lies in the animal feed sector, where it pushes feed conversion rates higher and improves growth in livestock, particularly swine and poultry. Feed formula developers rely on its high purity and predictable nutritional profile to balance proteins for animal health. Outside of agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry taps into its precise chemical properties for injectable solutions, tablets, and granulated products. In food processing, L-Lysine Dihydrochloride serves as a nutritional fortification, compensating for natural deficiencies in grains and processed foods. Its role as a raw material supports protein synthesis, enzyme formation, and calcium absorption. Through my time consulting with both feed and pharma businesses, I have seen how clean documentation, regular lab testing, and adherence to detailed specifications hold the key to quality assurance and regulatory acceptance.

Material Handling and Storage

Storage hinges on dry, sealed containers and climate control. Exposure to airborne moisture clumps the powder or crystallizes the liquid, impacting flow and dosing precision. Warehouse managers benefit from investing in dehumidifiers and closed systems—and from clear labeling, especially when dozens of similar white powders share a single site. Handling equipment, such as screw feeders and pneumatic conveyors, must remain calibrated and tightly sealed, particularly during bulk transfers between silos, trucks, and production lines.

Addressing Concerns and Improving Use

Some challenges stem from dust creation during loading or mixing, leading to worker complaints and sporadic contamination risks. Practical solutions mean moving from open bags to sealed transfer systems, and investing in on-site dust extraction. Careful material handling ensures none of the product, which represents time and money, goes to waste or affects air quality. Tech upgrades—real-time moisture sensors, automated bagging stations, and digital batch tracking—make a difference where regulations demand tight batch records and minimal waste.

Quality Control and Raw Materials Transparency

Quality doesn’t begin or end in the lab; it starts at raw materials sourcing. Provenance, supplier audits, and regular composition checks make the difference between a predictable product and a costly recall. Regular third-party testing reassures end-users about ingredient content, whether that's confirming L-Lysine Dihydrochloride’s precise content or absence of undesired byproducts. By getting transparency right at the molecular and supply chain levels, companies earn lasting trust from both regulators and clients, proving compliance and high professional standards.