Citrulline (inci)

Citrulline (by citrulline is always meant L-(+)-citrulline) is an alpha-amino acid. Citrulline occurs naturally in plants and animals.

Citrulline is found in large quantities in the sap of birch, alder and walnut plants. Citrulline is also found in cucurbits. In the human liver, citrulline is formed from carbamylphophate and ornithine.

Citrulline is an intermediate product of the urea cycle. It is normally formed from L-ornithine and carbamoyl phosphate, with the ornithine-carbamoyl transferase splitting off its phosphate residue. Citrulline is excreted with the urine.

In cosmetic products citrulline (INCI) is used in skin care products.