Polycarnitine--a new biomaterial

The natural product L-carnitine is--due to its biotechnological accessibility and specific properties--on the way to becoming an attractive biobased bulk product. L-carnitine is a natural betaine with vitamin properties. Carnitine is an essential part of the fatty acid metabolism of human beings and animals. Carnitine was first isolated in 1905 from meat extract and important recent developments include the biosyntheses of L-carnitine from L-lysine or gamma-butyrobetaine. Our synthesis routes are designed to maintain the primary structure and specific properties of carnitine, such as hydrophilicity and "stiffening" effects for polymeric structures and applications. L-carnitine is converted via lactonization or olefinization into polymerizable basic molecules. The properties and the applications of carnitine polymers are described.