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N NH₂ COOH HO ↓ Aromatic AAAD enzyme 5-HT 5-HTP 5-Hydroxytryptophan · C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₃ Direct Serotonin Precursor
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Quick Specs
FormFree amino acid
Purity≥98% (HPLC)
SourceGriffonia simplicifolia
Shelf life24 months
MOQ1 kg (sample); 5 kg (commercial)
Nutraceuticals

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

Griffonia simplicifolia ≥98% Purity Serotonin Precursor Melatonin Pathway
5-HTP at ≥98% by HPLC from Griffonia simplicifolia seed, with a ≥99% pharma grade and 20% and 98% standardised seed extracts, supplied with full impurity profiling.
5-HTP is an intermediate in the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway, supplied commercially from Griffonia simplicifolia seed. It is specified into the sleep and mood supplement categories. Its regulatory status varies sharply by market and it is not permitted in food supplements in every jurisdiction, so confirm the position for your destination market before committing to a formulation.

SV Botanica supplies pharmaceutical-grade 5-HTP at ≥98% purity from certified Griffonia simplicifolia seed extraction, with full impurity profiling on every COA — an important specification given that impurities in 5-HTP material (particularly Peak X, identified in the 1989 L-Tryptophan EMS incident) have historically been a regulatory concern. Our material passes stringent impurity testing and is manufactured under GMP controls.
Available specifications
5-HTP 98%
Griffonia seed extract (HPLC)
5-HTP 99%
Pharma grade (HPLC)
Griffonia Extract 20%
Standardised seed extract
Griffonia Extract 98%
High-standardisation botanical extract
  • Regulatory position varies sharply by market — 5-HTP is treated differently across jurisdictions, and in several it is not permitted in food supplements at all. Confirm the status in your destination market before committing to a formulation or a label.
  • Isolate versus standardised extract — the ≥98% and ≥99% grades are isolates; the 20% and 98% Griffonia extracts support a botanical declaration. Assay differs by a factor of five between the 20% extract and the isolate, so confirm the basis before comparing quotations.
  • Light sensitivity — supplied in light-protected, moisture-proof packaging, and the 24-month shelf life assumes sealed, cool, dry, dark storage.
  • Solubility — soluble in water and methanol, slightly soluble in ethanol, so aqueous formats carry it without a solubiliser.
  • Capsule formats — the 60–80 mesh powder blends and encapsulates predictably, with no pigment carry-through into the finished dose form.
  • Botanical source documentation — supplied with a Griffonia simplicifolia source declaration; specify if your market requires seed-only substantiation.
  • Packaging — 1 kg double-sealed moisture-proof foil bags, and 5 kg and 25 kg fibre drums with PE liner and aluminium overwrap. Custom pack sizes available for research and private-label batches.
  • Documentation — each batch ships with a CoA covering assay by HPLC against the stated grade, heavy metals at NMT 10 ppm with lead at NMT 0.5 ppm, moisture at NMT 1.0% and microbial limits.
Capsule and tablet supplements
Sleep-category formulations
Mood-category formulations
Botanical-label formulations
Powder blends
Research and clinical-supply quantities
Private-label and contract manufacture
Combination formats
Common name5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
IUPAC name(S)-2-Amino-3-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
Synonyms5-Hydroxytryptophan; Oxitriptan; L-5-HTP; 5-HT precursor
CAS number4350-09-8
Molecular formulaC₁₁H₁₂N₂O₃
Molecular weight220.23 g/mol
Purity (HPLC)≥98%
ChiralityL-form (S-configuration) — the biologically occurring enantiomer
AppearanceWhite to off-white fine crystalline powder
SolubilitySoluble in water and methanol; slightly soluble in ethanol
pH (1% solution)5.0 – 7.0
Mesh size60–80 mesh
Moisture (LOD)NMT 1.0%
Ash contentNMT 0.5%
Heavy metalsNMT 10 ppm; Lead NMT 0.5 ppm
Pesticide residuesMeets EU MRL standards (tested per EC 396/2005)
Impurity profileKey impurity panel included on COA (related compounds screened by HPLC)
Microbial limitsTPC NMT 1,000 CFU/g; Yeast/Mould NMT 100 CFU/g; Salmonella and E. coli absent
StorageCool, dry, away from light; 15–25°C; sealed container
Shelf life24 months from date of manufacture (sealed)
SourceGriffonia simplicifolia seeds (West Africa) — aqueous extraction
RegulatoryDietary supplement ingredient (USA); check Novel Food status by EU member state
1 kg aluminium foil bags (double-sealed, moisture-proof)
5 kg and 25 kg fibre drums with PE liner and aluminium overwrap
Light-protected, moisture-proof export-grade packaging
Custom pack sizes for research and private-label batches
Quality Assurance

Impurity-Profiled. Source-Verified.

Every 5-HTP batch from SV Botanica includes full impurity profiling alongside standard purity testing — a critical specification for market registration and regulatory compliance in major supplement markets.

01

HPLC purity with impurity profile

Every batch tested by HPLC for ≥98% 5-HTP content. COA includes impurity identification panel — essential for FDA, Health Canada, and EU regulatory submissions.

02

Griffonia source certification

All material traceable to certified Griffonia simplicifolia seed sources. Botanical identity confirmed by TLC and HPLC fingerprinting. No synthetic or adulterated material supplied.

03

Heavy metals & pesticide panel

Full heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium) and pesticide residue testing to EU MRL standards. Microbial safety verified per USP standards before export.

04

Export documentation

COA, MSDS, Certificate of Origin (botanical source confirmed), Phytosanitary Certificate, and GMP/ISO facility documents provided with every shipment.

Mechanism of Action

The Serotonin Synthesis Pathway: Where 5-HTP Fits

Understanding 5-HTP's position in the serotonin synthesis pathway is the key to understanding why it outperforms L-Tryptophan as a supplement ingredient and why it can address mood, sleep, and appetite simultaneously through a single biochemical pathway. The pathway below shows each step from dietary intake to melatonin production — with 5-HTP's unique entry point highlighted.

1
Dietary Input
L-Tryptophan
Essential amino acid — must come from diet (turkey, eggs, dairy, nuts)
L-Tryptophan competes with 5 other large neutral amino acids for blood-brain barrier transport via the LAT-1 carrier. Only a small fraction of ingested Tryptophan reaches the brain's serotonin synthesis pathway — the rest is diverted to the kynurenine pathway, used for protein synthesis, or converted to niacin. Commercially, this is the reason 5-HTP is supplied as a distinct ingredient rather than as tryptophan.
2
Rate-Limiting Step → 5-HTP Entry Point
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)
The rate-controlling intermediate in the biosynthesis pathway
Enzyme: Tryptophan Hydroxylase (TPH) — converts Tryptophan → 5-HTP in the body
Tryptophan Hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme — it controls how quickly the pathway proceeds and is the step most sensitive to nutritional deficiencies and stress. Supplemental 5-HTP enters the pathway downstream of this step. It uses a different transport mechanism from L-tryptophan and is not diverted to the kynurenine pathway.
★ This is the point at which supplemental 5-HTP enters the biosynthesis pathway.
3
Primary Target Neurotransmitter
Serotonin (5-HT)
Regulates mood, social behaviour, appetite, digestion, sleep, and memory
Enzyme: AAAD (Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase) — converts 5-HTP → Serotonin; requires Vitamin B6
Serotonin acts in both the central nervous system (brain) and enteric nervous system (gut — where ~95% of the body's serotonin is stored). Brain serotonin regulates mood, anxiety, appetite, and cognition. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) is a required cofactor for AAAD — ensuring B6 sufficiency in 5-HTP formulations enhances conversion efficiency.
4
Sleep Regulation Output
Melatonin
Pineal gland hormone — regulates circadian rhythm and sleep onset
Enzymes: AANAT then ASMT — convert Serotonin → N-Acetylserotonin → Melatonin (evening, in darkness)
In the pineal gland, serotonin produced from 5-HTP is converted to melatonin in a two-step enzymatic process that is triggered by darkness and suppressed by light. Evening 5-HTP supplementation (30–60 minutes before sleep) provides the pineal gland with raw material for increased melatonin production, supporting natural sleep onset without the direct receptor stimulation of exogenous melatonin. This is why 5-HTP is particularly effective in sleep formulations targeting circadian disruption rather than pure sedation.
5
Formulation Intelligence
Enhancing the Pathway
Key co-factors and synergistic ingredients for formulators
To maximise 5-HTP's clinical benefit, formulators should consider: Vitamin B6 (P5P form) — the cofactor for AAAD, required for 5-HTP-to-serotonin conversion; EGCG or green tea extract — may reduce peripheral 5-HTP conversion, preserving more for brain delivery; GABA — commonly co-formulated in combination sleep-category formulas; Magnesium glycinate — supports AAAD enzyme activity and promotes muscle relaxation for sleep. Important safety note: 5-HTP must not be combined with SSRIs, MAOIs, or tramadol due to risk of serotonin syndrome.
Buyer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A ≥98% grade by HPLC and a ≥99% pharma grade, plus a 20% standardised Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract and a 98% high-standardisation botanical extract.
Its regulatory status varies sharply between markets, and in several jurisdictions it is not permitted in food supplements at all. Confirm the position for your destination market with your regulatory adviser before committing to a formulation or a label.
The ≥98% and ≥99% grades are isolates; the 20% and 98% grades are standardised Griffonia simplicifolia seed extracts supporting a botanical declaration. Assay between the 20% extract and the isolate differs by roughly a factor of five, so confirm the basis before comparing quotations.
Assay by HPLC against the stated grade, heavy metals at NMT 10 ppm with lead at NMT 0.5 ppm, moisture at NMT 1.0%, microbial limits, and a Griffonia simplicifolia source declaration.
White to off-white fine crystalline powder at 60–80 mesh. Moisture NMT 1.0%. Shelf life 24 months sealed, cool, dry and away from light.
It is soluble in water and methanol and only slightly soluble in ethanol, so aqueous formats carry it without a solubiliser.
Material ships with a Griffonia simplicifolia source declaration. If your market requires seed-only substantiation specifically, state that at enquiry so the documentation is prepared accordingly.
1 kg double-sealed moisture-proof aluminium foil bags, and 5 kg and 25 kg fibre drums with PE liner and aluminium overwrap, in light-protected export packaging. Custom pack sizes are available.
Against your specification and volume. Grade, isolate versus botanical extract and pack size all move the price.
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Supplied as a bulk ingredient for further manufacture. Buyers are responsible for compliance with the regulations of their destination market. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.