Scitec Citrulline Malate
💉 3000mg of L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1 per 3-capsule daily dose
⚡ Citrulline → arginine → nitric oxide (NO) — the most effective NO pathway
🔬 Malic acid (Krebs cycle intermediate) + L-citrulline — dual metabolic mechanism
🌿 New formula — no TiO2 — 85% citrulline malate per capsule
📦 90 capsules — 30-day supply — widely used by athletes in intensive training
What is Scitec Nutrition Citrulline Malate?
Scitec Nutrition Citrulline Malate is a pure L-citrulline DL-malate supplement delivering 3000mg of citrulline malate 1:1 per 3-capsule daily dose — a combination of the amino acid L-citrulline and malic acid in an equimolar 1:1 ratio. The formula has been updated to remove titanium dioxide (TiO2) from the capsule composition — the same formulation improvement applied across the updated Scitec Nutrition range.
L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid found naturally in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus — from which its name derives) and produced endogenously in the urea cycle. Unlike L-arginine — which was traditionally used as the direct nitric oxide (NO) precursor supplement — L-citrulline converts to L-arginine in the kidneys through a highly efficient conversion pathway, and then to NO in vascular endothelial cells via nitric oxide synthase (NOS). This kidney-mediated arginine conversion makes citrulline significantly more effective at elevating plasma arginine — and therefore plasma NO — than direct L-arginine supplementation. Oral L-arginine is extensively metabolised in the intestine and liver (first-pass metabolism) before reaching systemic circulation, limiting its bioavailability. L-citrulline bypasses this first-pass arginine degradation entirely, producing a more sustained and larger elevation of plasma arginine from the same gram-for-gram dose.
Malic acid (DL-malate) is an organic acid that is itself a direct intermediate in the Krebs cycle (also called the citric acid cycle) — the primary cellular energy production pathway. By combining citrulline with malate, citrulline malate provides both the NO precursor stimulus and a Krebs cycle substrate, supporting ATP production in muscle tissue during high-intensity exercise and contributing to the reduced fatigue perception and improved exercise capacity observed in citrulline malate research compared to L-citrulline alone.
The 1:1 ratio (equimolar citrulline and malate) is the most commonly studied and commercially available citrulline malate form — each gram of citrulline malate 1:1 provides approximately 500mg of L-citrulline and 500mg of malic acid. At the 3000mg daily dose, approximately 1500mg of L-citrulline and 1500mg of malic acid are delivered per serving.
Available in a single 90-capsule format providing 30 daily doses at 3 capsules per dose.
The most effective NO pathway. Citrulline. Malate. Combined.
| Brand | Scitec Nutrition |
| Packaging | 90 Caps |
⚡ L-Citrulline → L-Arginine → Nitric Oxide — the superior NO pathway
L-citrulline is more effective than L-arginine for elevating plasma arginine and NO production because it bypasses the extensive first-pass metabolism of oral L-arginine in the intestinal wall and liver. After intestinal absorption, L-citrulline is transported to the kidneys where it is efficiently converted to L-arginine via the argininosuccinate pathway — a conversion that produces plasma arginine levels significantly higher and more sustained than equivalent doses of oral L-arginine. This elevated plasma arginine then serves as the substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in vascular endothelial cells, producing NO that relaxes vascular smooth muscle (vasodilation), widening blood vessels and increasing blood flow, oxygen delivery and nutrient supply to working muscles — producing the characteristic training pump and supporting sustained performance.
🔬 Malic acid — Krebs cycle intermediate and fatigue reduction
DL-malate (malic acid) is a direct intermediate in the Krebs cycle — the primary metabolic pathway for ATP production from aerobic metabolism. Its inclusion in the citrulline malate formula is not merely for salt formation: malate participates directly in cellular energy metabolism, supporting the regeneration of aspartate and other Krebs cycle intermediates depleted during high-intensity exercise. Research suggests that the malate component contributes to the reduction in fatigue perception and the improvements in exercise performance associated with citrulline malate — beyond what L-citrulline alone produces. The combination of NO-mediated vasodilation (from citrulline) and Krebs cycle support (from malate) creates a genuinely dual mechanism product.
💪 Widely used by athletes in intensive training
Citrulline malate has become one of the most widely consumed pre-workout NO supplements in the global sports nutrition market — used by bodybuilders, strength athletes, endurance athletes and team sport practitioners for its consistent effects on training pump, work capacity and exercise-induced fatigue reduction. Scitec explicitly acknowledges its widespread use among athletes following intensive training programmes.
🌿 New formula — no TiO2 — clean capsule composition
The updated formula removes titanium dioxide from the capsule composition — consistent with the formulation improvements applied across the Scitec range and reflecting the evolving EU regulatory environment around TiO2 in food and supplement products.
🎯 Goal guide
🏋️ Mass gain and strength training: 3 capsules/day pre-workout. NO-mediated vasodilation maximises blood flow and nutrient delivery to muscle tissue during training — the pump as a functional indicator of enhanced muscular perfusion.
🔥 Weight loss / cutting: 3 capsules/day. Training quality maintenance during caloric restriction — sustaining the intensity needed for muscle mass preservation.
⚖️ Endurance and high-intensity training: 3 capsules/day. Malate’s Krebs cycle support and citrulline’s NO production combine for both endurance performance and acute intensity phases.
Serving suggestion
Take 3 capsules per day with a large glass of water. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of reach of children.
Best times to take it
🏋️ 30 to 60 minutes before training (primary recommendation)
Citrulline reaches peak plasma arginine concentrations approximately 60 to 90 minutes after oral consumption — taking 3 capsules 30 to 60 minutes before training aligns the plasma arginine peak with the training session, maximising the NO-mediated vasodilation effect and the associated pump and blood flow benefits during the period of maximum physical demand.
☀️ On an empty stomach for maximum bioavailability
L-citrulline competes with other amino acids for intestinal absorption — taking Citrulline Malate on an empty stomach or away from a large protein-containing meal reduces this competition and improves the proportion of citrulline that reaches the kidneys for arginine conversion.
🔗 Stacked with AAKG for maximum NO stimulus
Citrulline malate and AAKG operate via the same NO pathway but through different biochemical entry points. Citrulline provides the arginine precursor route (citrulline → kidney conversion → arginine → NO). AAKG provides direct arginine loading (arginine → NO). Their combination produces a compounded NO stimulus from both the precursor and direct routes simultaneously — a common and effective pre-workout combination for athletes seeking maximum pump and vasodilation.
Supply duration guide
| Daily dose | Duration (90 caps) |
|---|---|
| 3 capsules/day (recommended) | 30 days (1 month) |
Full ingredient list
L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1 85%, capsule shell [gelatin, glazing agent (shellac), colour (iron oxides and hydroxides), acidity regulators (ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide)], anti-caking agent (magnesium salts of fatty acids).
New formula — no titanium dioxide (TiO2).
Key ingredient breakdown
| Ingredient | Per 3 capsules | Role |
|---|---|---|
| L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1 | 3000mg | Primary active; NO precursor via arginine conversion; Krebs cycle support |
| — L-Citrulline (pure, ~50%) | ~1500mg | Converts to arginine in kidneys → NO via NOS |
| — DL-Malic acid (~50%) | ~1500mg | Krebs cycle intermediate; ATP production support; fatigue reduction |
| Gelatin (capsule shell) | — | Capsule shell; bovine/porcine origin |
| Shellac | trace | Insect-derived glazing agent |
| Iron oxides | trace | Natural capsule colour |
| Magnesium stearate | trace | Anti-caking flow agent |
Allergens
No allergens declared in the active formula. Produced in a facility processing milk, egg, gluten, soy, peanuts, nuts, celery, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and sulphur dioxide — cross-contamination risk. The capsule shell contains gelatin and shellac — not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Always refer to the current product label for the most up-to-date allergen information.
Product characteristics:
- 3000mg L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1 per 3-capsule daily dose
- ~1500mg pure L-citrulline per dose
- ~1500mg malic acid per dose
- 85% citrulline malate content per capsule
- New formula — no TiO2
- Gelatin + shellac capsule
Active ingredient content per daily dose (3 capsules)
| Supplement facts | Per 3 capsules |
|---|---|
| L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1 | 3000mg |
| — L-Citrulline (pure equivalent) | ~1500mg |
| — DL-Malic acid | ~1500mg |
Nutritional values per 3-capsule serving
| Nutritional values | Per 3 capsules |
|---|---|
| Energy | ~0 kcal |
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| of which sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Salt | 0g |
Formats disponibles
| Format | Capsules | Daily doses (3 caps) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 90 capsules | 30 doses | 30 days |
Q1 — Why is L-citrulline more effective than L-arginine for NO production?
The key lies in first-pass metabolism. When L-arginine is consumed orally, a large proportion — estimated at 40 to 60% of the ingested dose — is degraded by the enzyme arginase in the intestinal wall and liver before it reaches systemic circulation. This extensive first-pass catabolism severely limits how much oral arginine actually reaches vascular endothelial cells where NO is produced. L-citrulline bypasses this entirely: after intestinal absorption, L-citrulline is transported to the kidneys, where it is converted to L-arginine via the argininosuccinate lyase pathway — a conversion that is not subject to the same first-pass degradation that limits oral arginine. The net result is that oral citrulline supplementation produces significantly higher and more sustained plasma arginine levels than equivalent doses of oral arginine. Multiple human studies have confirmed that citrulline malate raises plasma arginine more effectively than an equal dose of L-arginine.
Q2 — What does the “1:1” ratio mean in L-Citrulline DL-Malate 1:1?
The 1:1 ratio indicates that citrulline and malic acid are combined in an equimolar ratio — one molecule of L-citrulline for every one molecule of malic acid. By weight, this produces a compound that is approximately 50% L-citrulline and 50% malic acid. Therefore, each gram of citrulline malate 1:1 provides approximately 500mg of pure L-citrulline and 500mg of malic acid. At the 3000mg daily dose, approximately 1500mg of L-citrulline and 1500mg of malic acid are delivered. A 2:1 citrulline malate (two molecules of citrulline per one molecule of malate) would provide more citrulline per gram — approximately 667mg per gram vs 500mg for the 1:1 form. Research has used both ratios with positive results; the 1:1 form is the more commonly available and studied in the majority of published citrulline malate trials.
Q3 — How does Scitec Citrulline Malate compare to the citrulline in GSN Vaso Pump?
GSN Vaso Pump provides 8000mg of L-citrulline DL-malate per full serving — significantly higher than the 3000mg in Scitec Citrulline Malate capsules. GSN Vaso Pump is a dedicated pre-workout pump formula designed for maximum NO and pump stimulus per session, with a single large serving. Scitec Citrulline Malate is a daily maintenance supplementation format — 3 capsules providing 3000mg of citrulline malate, appropriate for daily background citrulline loading or as an addition to an existing pre-workout stack. For athletes seeking maximum acute pump stimulus before training, GSN Vaso Pump provides the higher dose. For athletes wanting consistent daily citrulline supplementation in a capsule format, Scitec Citrulline Malate is the more convenient and economical option.
Q4 — Can Scitec Citrulline Malate be combined with AAKG for maximum NO effect?
Yes — and this combination is one of the most logical and effective NO supplement stacks available. Citrulline (Scitec Citrulline Malate) works via the indirect route: citrulline → kidney arginine conversion → NOS → NO. AAKG (Scitec AAKG 90 caps or Olimp AAKG 1250 Mega Caps) works via the direct route: AAKG → arginine → NOS → NO. The two compounds reach the same endpoint (elevated plasma arginine and NO) via different pathways — combining them provides both a direct arginine loading stimulus and an extended citrulline-derived arginine supply simultaneously. This combination is consistently rated as producing the most intense and sustained muscle pump available from non-stimulant supplement stacking.
Q5 — Is 30 days of supply per pack sufficient for a meaningful supplementation protocol?
Research on citrulline malate for sports performance uses both acute single-dose protocols (one large dose before a single training session) and chronic daily supplementation protocols (multiple days to weeks of consistent daily intake). The acute protocol produces measurable effects on training pump and work capacity from the very first dose. The chronic daily protocol — as supported by Scitec’s recommended 3-capsule daily dose — progressively elevates background citrulline and arginine availability, potentially producing cumulative improvements in cardiovascular conditioning and training capacity over 4 to 8 weeks. At 30 doses per pack, the supply covers a meaningful single training month, with effects measurable from the first week of use.