5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

Description

1. Product Overview

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a naturally occurring amino acid precursor to serotonin, produced via controlled extraction from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds. Industrially, it serves as a high-purity active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and nutraceutical intermediate for mood regulation, sleep health, and appetite control formulations. Its strategic value lies in bridging the gap between botanical sourcing and synthetic-grade consistency, offering manufacturers a reliable, scalable solution for the rapidly growing $4B+ global mental wellness market. For B2B buyers, 5-HTP reduces downstream purification costs and ensures regulatory alignment with pharmacopoeia standards.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (CAS 56-69-9), >98.5% purity (HPLC), residual solvents compliant with ICH Q3C

• Physical form: Fine off-white to light-beige crystalline powder

• Particle size: D90 ≤ 100 µm (standard); custom milling (D90 20–50 µm) available

• Bulk density: Tapped 0.45–0.65 g/mL; aerated 0.30–0.50 g/mL

• Loss on drying: ≤ 1.5% (105°C, 2h)

• Heavy metals: Total ≤ 10 ppm; lead ≤ 0.5 ppm, arsenic ≤ 1 ppm

• Microbial limits: Total plate count < 1,000 CFU/g; no E. coli or Salmonella

• Packaging options: 25 kg multi-wall kraft paper drum with inner PE liner; 500 kg FIBC (industrial-grade); 5–10 kg lab sampling packs

• Shelf life: 36 months from manufacture date when stored in sealed, dry conditions (15–25°C, RH < 60%)

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Nutraceuticals (dietary supplements), pharmaceuticals (Rx & OTC), functional foods & beverages, veterinary APIs

• Operational use cases:

  • Mood support capsules: Direct compression or encapsulation at 50–200 mg per unit

  • Sleep aid formulations: Synergistic blends with melatonin or GABA

  • Weight management: Combined with L-tryptophan or green tea extract

  • Veterinary: Canine anxiety chews (25–50 mg per dose)

• Performance advantage over alternatives:

  • Compared to raw Griffonia extract: 5-HTP eliminates batch-to-batch variability and reduces tablet weight by 60% for same active dose

  • Compared to synthetic tryptophan: Direct serotonin pathway bypasses rate-limiting hydroxylation step, improving bioavailability by 3x

  • Cost efficiency: Higher purity reduces need for post-blend assay corrections and rework, cutting total formulation cost by 12–18%

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 22000 and cGMP-certified facility; each lot tested for 12+ parameters (HPLC, residual solvents, heavy metals) with CoA provided within 48 hours

• Supply reliability: Dual-sourcing from West Africa and Southeast Asia with 12-month rolling forecast inventory buffer → 99.6% on-time delivery rate over 18 quarters

• Logistics capability: Temperature-controlled warehousing at origin and destination ports (Rotterdam, NJ, Shanghai, Jebel Ali)

• Price competitiveness: Tiered pricing based on annual volume (5–100+ MT) with full hedging for currency and raw material volatility

• Sustainability: 100% traceable Griffonia seeds via blockchain-enabled supply chain; zero deforestation commitment; carbon-neutral freight options available

• Technical support: Dedicated QA team provides method transfer assistance, stability study design, and regulatory dossier support (FDA DMF Type II available upon NDA)

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 20 MT (bulk industrial grade)

• Loading capacity per container:

  • 20-foot dry container: 20 MT (net) — 800 x 25 kg drums (palletized)

  • 40-foot HC container: 20 MT only (max payload limit for dense powder) — alternative configuration: 40 x 500 kg FIBCs

• Lead time: 30 days after LC or TT confirmation (ex-works or FOB main port)

• Incoterms supported: FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW

• Sample policy: 500 g analytical sample (free, freight collect) for qualified buyers upon signed NDA and quality questionnaire