5-HTP Powder (5-Hydroxytryptophan) — 98% Purity Griffonia Extract
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, CAS 4350-09-8) is a naturally occurring amino acid and the direct biochemical precursor to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) — the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, pain perception, and cognitive function. Found in high concentrations in the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia (a West African climbing shrub), 5-HTP occupies the intermediate step in the metabolic pathway L-tryptophan → 5-HTP → serotonin → melatonin. Unlike dietary tryptophan — which must compete with other large neutral amino acids for blood-brain barrier transport and is largely diverted to niacin (vitamin B3) synthesis — 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is efficiently converted to serotonin, with approximately 70% of an oral dose contributing to central serotonin synthesis. Our 5-HTP powder is extracted from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds to ≥98% purity (HPLC-verified), confirmed as the biologically active L-isomer by specific optical rotation, and available in nutraceutical, cosmetic, research, and pharmaceutical grades. As a leading bulk 5-HTP manufacturer and supplier, we provide full CoA documentation, custom grades, and competitive pricing for supplement brands, contract manufacturers, and research institutions worldwide.
| Parameter | Specification / Value |
|---|---|
| INCI / Common Name | 5‑Hydroxytryptophan (5‑HTP) |
| Other Names | 5‑HTP, 5‑Hydroxy‑L‑tryptophan, Oxitriptan, L‑5‑HTP, 5‑Hydroxytryptophane |
| CAS Number | 4350‑09‑8 (L‑5‑hydroxytryptophan) |
| EINECS | 224‑411‑1 |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 220.22 g/mol |
| Appearance | White to off‑white crystalline powder (≥98% grade); tan/brown powder for lower‑grade extracts |
| Odor | Characteristic or odorless |
| Purity (HPLC) | ≥ 98.0% (standard); ≥ 99.0% (high‑purity / USP grade) |
| pH (1% aqueous suspension) | 4.0 – 6.0 |
| Melting Point | ~270 °C (decomposition) |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water (≈5 mg/mL); soluble in hot water, dilute acids/alkalis; slightly soluble in methanol/ethanol; insoluble in chloroform/ether/hexane |
| Residual Solvents | Ethanol ≤ 5000 ppm; methanol ≤ 3000 ppm (ICH Q3C limits); no chlorinated solvents |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 10 ppm (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) |
| Pesticide Residues | Compliant with EU/US pesticide limits for botanical extracts |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 CFU/g (nutraceutical grade); ≤ 100 CFU/g (pharmaceutical grade) |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
What Is 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)?
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), also known as oxitriptan (INN) or L-5-hydroxytryptophan, is a naturally occurring non-proteinogenic amino acid and the immediate metabolic precursor to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). It was first isolated in the 1950s and has been used therapeutically since the 1970s — initially as a prescription antidepressant (oxitriptan) in several European countries, and more recently as a widely available dietary supplement globally.
Chemical structure & physical properties:
- 5-HTP consists of an indole ring (fused benzene-pyrrole bicyclic structure) with a hydroxyl group (-OH) at the 5-position and an alanine side chain (-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH) at the 3-position.
- Molecular formula: C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₃
- Molecular weight: 220.22 g/mol
- CAS number: 4350-09-8 (L-5-hydroxytryptophan, the biologically active form)
- EINECS: 224-411-1
- Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder (high-purity, ≥98%); lower-purity extracts (20–60%) may appear tan to brown
- Odor: Characteristic, slightly sour or odorless
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (≈5 mg/mL at 25°C); soluble in hot water, dilute acids, and alkaline solutions; slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol; insoluble in non-polar organic solvents (chloroform, ether, hexane)
5-HTP Natural source — Griffonia simplicifolia
Commercial 5-HTP is almost exclusively extracted from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, a woody climbing shrub native to West Africa (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Nigeria). The seeds are the richest known natural source of 5-HTP, containing up to 20–99% 5-HTP by dry weight depending on extraction and purification.
- Extraction process: Seeds are cleaned, ground, and extracted with ethanol/water or methanol, followed by solvent removal, purification (column chromatography, crystallization), and drying. Advanced manufacturers use ethanol-water extraction (GRAS solvent) to avoid residual toxic solvents.
- Standardization: Extracts are standardized to 98% or 99% 5-HTP (HPLC) for pharmaceutical and supplement use; lower-grade extracts (20%, 40%, 60%) are also available but less common for finished supplements.
COA of 5-hydroxytryptophan Powder
Items | Specification | Method |
Appearance | Off white powder | Visual |
Odor | Characteristic | Organoleptic |
5-Hydroxytryptophan by HPLC | ≥98% | USP39 |
Total impurities | ≤0.2% | USP39 |
Solubility | ≥10mg/ml in water | USP39 |
Identification | IR | USP39 |
Heavy metals | <10ppm | ICP-MS |
Pb | <0.5ppm | ICP-MS |
As | <0.5ppm | ICP-MS |
Cd | <0.1ppm | ICP-MS |
Hg | <0.1ppm | ICP-MS |
Bulk density | ≥0.38g/ml | USP39 |
Tapped density | ≥0.58g/ml | USP39 |
Loss on drying | ≤0.5% | USP39 |
Residue on ignition | ≤0.5% | USP39 |
PH | 4.0-6.0 | USP39 |
Optical ratition | -30°~-35° | USP39 |
Residual solvents | ≤100ppm | GC |
Total Plate Count | <1000cfu/g | CP2015 |
Yeast & Mold | <100cfu/g | CP2015 |
E.Coli | Negative | CP2015 |
Salmonella | Negative | CP2015 |
5-HTP Natural source — Griffonia simplicifolia applications
1. Mood Support & Mild Antidepressant
5-HTP supports positive mood balance; natural mood booster for mild depression and low mood; fast-acting mood support supplement.
2. Anxiety & Stress Relief
5-HTP reduces anxiety and stress; natural stress relief supplement; calms mood tension and social anxiety.
3. Natural Sleep Support
5-HTP improves sleep quality; natural sleep aid for insomnia; supports healthy circadian rhythm without grogginess.
4. Appetite Control & Weight Management
5-HTP curbs carb cravings; supports healthy weight management; natural appetite suppressant for overeating.
5. Fibromyalgia Symptom Relief
5-HTP relieves fibromyalgia pain and fatigue; improves fibromyalgia sleep and body stiffness.
6. Migraine Prevention
5-HTP prevents recurring migraines; reduces migraine severity and frequency; natural migraine prevention supplement.
7. PMS & PMDD Symptom Regulation
5-HTP eases PMS mood swings; relieves premenstrual anxiety and cravings; balances premenstrual emotional state.
8. Emerging Auxiliary Applications
5-HTP supports withdrawal relief; improves emotional impulsivity; promotes healthy skin and hair growth.
5-hydroxytryptophan Research Reference
5 Hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology
- L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is both a drug and a natural component of some dietary supplements. 5-HTP is produced from tryptophan by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), which is present in two isoforms (TPH1 and TPH2).
- 5-HTP plays a major role both in neurologic and metabolic diseases and its synthesis from tryptophan represents the limiting step in serotonin and melatonin biosynthesis
- Plants are a rich source of 5-HTP and Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. (Caesalpinaceae) (also known as the alternate incorrect name Bandeiraea simplicifolia) seeds are the most used for the extraction and the commercial production of 5-HTP.
5-HTP can be produced via chemical synthesis, biosynthesis or natural plants extracted.
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be converted to serotonin in the body. It is often used to treat depression. 5-HTP is a chemical byproduct of the protein building block L-tryptophan.
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