Other functions of L-carnitine that have received less atten- tion in the literature include the buffering of acetyl residues (see HARMEYER and SCHLUMBOHM, 1997). As well as being synthesized endogenously, L-carnitine is also supplied to the animal’s body through the diet. While animal-derived feedingstuffs are rich in L-carnitine, plant material contains little L-carnitine (see Table 1). Typical rations without animal components generally contain between 5 and 10 mg L-carnitine per kg.