What is L-glutathione, and what is it studied for?
L-Glutathione is the tripeptide gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine, formula C10H17N3O6S, mass 307.33, CAS 70-18-8, the principal low-molecular-weight thiol in cells and a substrate in phase II conjugation. It is supplied here in the reduced form, GSH, which assays generally specify, and it is used in redox biochemistry, enzymology and cell-culture work. The material is for in-vitro research only.
What is the structure of L-Glutathione?
Three residues joined by an unusual gamma-peptide bond between the glutamate side-chain carboxyl and the cysteine amine, which protects it from most peptidases. The cysteine thiol is the reactive centre: two molecules oxidise to the disulfide GSSG, mass 612.6, which is the degradation route the glutathione oxidation post explains and the reason the certificate mass matters.
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C10H17N3O6S |
| Molecular weight | 307.33 g/mol |
| Residues | 3 |
| CAS number | 70-18-8 |
| PubChem CID | 124886 |
| Current lot | LGLU600-0528 |
How is L-Glutathione thought to work?
Reduces reactive oxygen species and protein disulfides directly and as the cofactor of glutathione peroxidases and transferases; the GSH/GSSG ratio is the standard readout of cellular redox state. Meister and Anderson's 1983 review remains the reference account of its biochemistry.
Which research areas use L-Glutathione?
| Area | Typical models and endpoints |
|---|---|
| Redox biochemistry | GSH/GSSG ratio assays and enzyme kinetics with glutathione peroxidase and reductase. |
| Phase II conjugation | Glutathione S-transferase substrate assays. |
| Cell-culture supplementation | Thiol supplementation in serum-free media. |
| Analytical chemistry | A thiol standard for oxidation-rate and dimerisation method work. |
What does the published literature show?
Meister and Anderson (Annual Review of Biochemistry, 1983) is the standard review. Glutathione is a widely used reagent and a component of approved products in some countries; none of that concerns the research-grade material here, which is for in-vitro use.
How is L-Glutathione handled in the laboratory?
Dissolves readily in water; solutions oxidise within hours in air, faster at neutral-to-basic pH and in the presence of metal ions. Prepare fresh, keep acidic and cold, and degas or purge if the assay is sensitive to GSSG. Store lyophilized at minus 20 °C. The concentration table covers volumes and syringe units; the storage guide covers stability by compound class.
What does the current certificate show?
Lot LGLU600-0528 tested at 99.9% purity by RP-HPLC (214 nm), identity confirmed by MALDI-MS, endotoxin <0.05 EU/mL. The certificate is in the COA library and the lot number on the vial matches it. Sold as 600 mg per vial at $75, for laboratory research only.
Certificate history for L-Glutathione
Every certificate the library holds for this compound, newest first. A replaced lot stays listed so the history can be read; the certificate dataset reads all 114 together.
| Lot | Issued | Size | Identity | Purity | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLU1500-0803 | Aug 17, 2026 | 1500 mg | LC-MS/MS | 99.76% | 1505.41 mg | Current |
| LGLU600-0528 | Jun 17, 2026 | 600 mg | MALDI-MS | 99.9% | 602.43 mg | Current |
Frequently asked questions
Why does the solution lose activity so quickly?
Because the thiol oxidises to the disulfide GSSG in air. The oxidation post sets out the rate and the conditions that slow it; fresh preparation is the practical answer.
What does the current certificate show?
Lot GLU1500-0803 (1500 mg): identity by LC-MS/MS at 307.3, purity 99.76% by RP-HPLC at 214 nm, content 1505.41 mg, endotoxin below 0.05 EU/mL. Issued 17 August 2026. The 600 mg size carries its own June lot.
What is the gamma bond?
A peptide bond formed through the glutamate side-chain carboxyl rather than the alpha-carboxyl. It is why glutathione resists the peptidases that would cleave an ordinary tripeptide.
References
- Meister A, Anderson ME. Glutathione. Annu Rev Biochem. 1983;52:711-760.
- PubChem CID 124886, Glutathione. National Library of Medicine. Read 2 October 2026.
Clinical results cited above describe regulated trials of pharmaceutical products and are given as context for research interest only. Nothing on this page describes or recommends use of the material sold here in humans or animals.
L-Glutathione 600 mg
$75 per vial
Lot LGLU600-0528 · 99.9% RP-HPLC (214 nm) · certificate published
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