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Amino acids and derivatives

L-Methionine

Also known as methionine, h-Met-oh, (S)-2-Amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid

CAS 63-68-3Formula C5H11NO2SMolar mass 149.22 g/molEC 200-562-9
197 suppliers listed Drug substance
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L-Methionine chemical structure, C5H11NO2S, CAS 63-68-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Minute hexagonal plates from dilute alcohol
Melting point
280 to 282
Boiling point
181 °C
Density
1.178 at 68 °F - Denser than water, will sink
Solubility
Soluble in water but the crystals are somewhat water-repellant at first
HS code
293040
Category
Amino acids and derivatives
Illustrative photo, assorted laboratory chemical bottles and jars on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is L-Methionine?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

L-methionine is the L-enantiomer of methionine. It has a role as a micronutrient, a nutraceutical, an antidote to paracetamol poisoning, a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a L-alpha-amino acid, a methionine, an aspartate family amino acid and a proteinogenic amino acid. It is a conjugate base of a L-methioninium. It is a conjugate acid of a L-methioninate. It is an enantiomer of a D-methionine. It is a tautomer of a L-methionine zwitterion.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2S)-2-amino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoic acid
CAS number
63-68-3 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 3654-96-4, 58576-49-1, 59-51-8
EC number
200-562-9
Molecular formula
C5H11NO2S
UNII
AE28F7PNPL
MDL number
MFCD00063097, MFCD00801344
InChIKey
FFEARJCKVFRZRR-BYPYZUCNSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H11NO2S/c1-9-3-2-4(6)5(7)8/h4H,2-3,6H2,1H3,(H,7,8)/t4-/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
CSCCC(N)C(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
CSCC[C@@H](C(=O)O)N

Synonyms

  • methionine
  • h-Met-oh
  • (S)-2-Amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid
  • Cymethion
  • L-(-)-Methionine
  • S-Methionine
  • L-Methioninum
  • Neo-methidin
  • Methilanin
  • (S)-methionine
  • (L)-Methionine
  • metionina
  • Acimethin
  • L-Methionin
  • (2S)-2-amino-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoic acid
  • Methioninum
  • L-alpha-Amino-gamma-methylmercaptobutyric acid
  • L-Homocysteine, S-methyl-
  • L-Met
  • (2S)-2-Amino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoic acid
  • L(-)-Amino-gamma-methylthiobutyric acid
  • L-alpha-Amino-gamma-methylthiobutyric acid
  • L-gamma-Methylthio-alpha-aminobutyric acid
  • Methionine, l-
  • (S)-2-amino-4-(methylthio)butyric acid
Show all 37 synonyms
  • Butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(methylthio)-, (S)-
  • Toxin WAR (Bacillus thuringiensis strain PS205C)
  • L-a-Amino-g-methylthiobutyric acid
  • gamma-Methylthio-alpha-aminobutyric acid
  • 2-Amino-4-(methylthio)butyric acid
  • (2S)-2-amino-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoate
  • L-Isomer Methionine
  • alpha-Amino-gamma-methylmercaptobutyric acid
  • Methionine, L
  • L-Methionine High
  • methioninum racemicum
  • L-Methionine 7417

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Minute hexagonal plates from dilute alcoholexp.
Odour
Faintexp.
Taste
Sulfurousexp.
Melting point
280 to 282exp.
Boiling point
181 °Cexp.
Density
1.178 at 68 °F - Denser than water, will sinkexp.
Solubility
Soluble in water but the crystals are somewhat water-repellant at firstexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
149.22 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
149.0511 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.15calc.
Topological polar surface area
63.32 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
2calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
4calc.
Heavy atoms
9calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.8calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS classification
Hazard pictograms

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

L-Methionine suppliers

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All 197 suppliers
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

197 suppliers in 26 countries

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L-Methionine price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Feed additive, vegetable oil enrichment, single-cell protein (DL-Methionine).

Nutrient.

Biological activities: Anticataract, antidote (acteaminophen, paracetamol), antieczemic, antihepatotic, antioxidant, antiparkinsonian, cancer-preventive, emetic, essential, glutathionigenic, heptoprotective, lioptropic, urine-acidifier, urine-deodorant.

Therapeutic category: Hepatoprotectant, antidote (acetaminophen poisoning), urinary acidifier.

Use classes: Enzymes and Enzyme Stabilizers, Safer Chemical Classes, Skin Conditioning Agents, Cosmetics.

Roles

  • animal metabolite
  • antidote
  • antidote to paracetamol poisoning
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • food component
  • human metabolite
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • micronutrient
  • mouse metabolite
  • nutraceutical
  • nutrient
  • pharmaceutical
  • physiological role
  • protective agent

Functional uses

  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Softener and conditioner

Pharmacology

Methionine is one of nine essential amino acids in humans (provided by food), Methionine is required for growth and tissue repair. A sulphur-containing amino acid, methionine improves the tone and pliability of skin, hair, and strengthens nails. Involved in many detoxifying processes, sulphur provided by methionine protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging, and is essential for absorption and bio-availability of selenium and zinc. Methionine chelates heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, aiding their excretion. It also acts as a lipotropic agent and prevents excess fat buildup in the liver. (NCI04)

How it is made

The production method of choice for L-methionine is still the enzymatic resolution of racemic N-acetyl-methionine using acylase from Aspergillus oryzae. The production is carried out in a continuously operated fixed-bed or enzyme membrane reactor. Alternatively, L-methionine may be produced by microbial conversion of the corresponding 5-substituted hydantoin. With growing cells of Pseudomonas sp.

Read more

strain NS671, D,L-5-(2-methylthioethyl)hydantoin was converted to L-methionine, a final concentration of 34 g/L and a molar yield of 93% have been obtained.

The most economic way for production of D,L-methionine is the chemical process based on acrolein, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonium carbonate. beta-Methylthiopropionaldehyde, formed by addition of methyl mercaptan to acrolein, is the intermediate that reacts with hydrogen cyanide to give alpha-hydroxy-gamma-methylthiobutyronitrile. Treatment with ammonium carbonate leads to 5-(beta-methylthioethyl)hydantoin that is saponified by potassium carbonate giving D,L-methionine in up to 95% yield, calculated on acrolein. (D,L-Methionine)

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

United States

  • Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

Health and food

  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code L-Methionine is traded under.

HS 2930.40Exact HS code

Methionine

World exports in 2024
$1.06B
+49.3% vs 2023, imports $2.16B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China56.8%
  2. Malaysia17.4%
  3. France * partner reported8.7%
Top importers
  1. China17.4%
  2. Brazil7.6%
  3. Germany5.4%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for L-Methionine is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about L-Methionine, based on the data on this page

What is L-Methionine?

L-methionine is the L-enantiomer of methionine. It has a role as a micronutrient, a nutraceutical, an antidote to paracetamol poisoning, a mouse metabolite and a human metabolite. It is a L-alpha-amino acid, a methionine, an aspartate family amino acid and a proteinogenic amino acid.

What is the CAS number of L-Methionine?

The CAS registry number of L-Methionine is 63-68-3. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 3654-96-4, 58576-49-1, 59-51-8.

What is the molecular formula and weight of L-Methionine?

The molecular formula of L-Methionine is C5H11NO2S and its molar mass is 149.22 g/mol.

What is L-Methionine used for?

Feed additive, vegetable oil enrichment, single-cell protein (DL-Methionine). Nutrient.

Is L-Methionine hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for L-Methionine is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of L-Methionine?

L-Methionine is usually classified under HS code 293040 (Methionine). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy L-Methionine?

CompoundList lists 197 suppliers of L-Methionine in China, United States, Germany, India and 22 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy L-Methionine in India?

14 suppliers in India list L-Methionine on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of L-Methionine?

Suppliers quote L-Methionine on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle L-Methionine

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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