Description
An essential amino acid and the precursor for serotonin, melatonin, and niacin. Used in dietary supplements positioned for mood and sleep support, in animal feed for poultry and swine, and in pharmaceutical and clinical nutrition applications.
White to slightly yellow crystalline powder. Limited water solubility; sensitive to light and heat.
We supply food-grade, feed-grade, and pharmaceutical-grade L-Tryptophan from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include Feed Grade (98 percent, dominant feed-application form), Food Grade (FCC compliant), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting BP/USP/EP specifications, and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) for premium sleep and mood supplement formulations.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, specific rotation, related amino acids, residue on ignition, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the body cannot synthesize and must obtain from dietary protein. The amino acid is the precursor to several biologically important compounds: serotonin (neurotransmitter), melatonin (sleep-regulating hormone), and niacin (Vitamin B3, partially synthesized from tryptophan).
Industrial production proceeds by submerged aerobic fermentation using engineered Escherichia coli or Corynebacterium glutamicum strains, yielding the natural L-enantiomer at high purity. Production capacity is heavily concentrated in China and Japan.
Recognized as a permitted food ingredient by the U.S. FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and equivalent regulators worldwide. Listed in BP, USP, EP, and JP pharmacopoeias.
The mood and sleep supplement positioning is driven by tryptophan's role as serotonin and melatonin precursor. Clinical evidence is more robust for the 5-HTP intermediate (5-hydroxytryptophan) than for tryptophan itself in mood and sleep applications, but both are commercially available.
Strategic positioning combines animal feed (the dominant volume application, particularly poultry where tryptophan is the third or fourth most-limiting amino acid in corn-soy diets), and the rapidly growing supplement category for sleep, mood, and stress support.
Where it is used
- Animal feed: poultry and swine fortification; the largest volume application globally
- Dietary supplements: sleep, mood, and stress-management formulations
- Pharmaceutical applications: parenteral nutrition, clinical depression adjuvant therapy
- Infant formula and clinical nutrition fortification
- Premium fortified foods: cereals and bakery products in mood-support positioning
- Pet food: behavioral-support pet formulations
- Specialty pharmaceutical research applications
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to slightly yellow crystalline powder |
| Assay (dry basis) | 98.5% to 101.0% |
| Specific rotation | −30.0° to −33.0° |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 0.5% |
| Residue on ignition | ≤ 0.1% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Chloride | ≤ 0.05% |
| Particle size | Per customer specification |
Ready to discuss business?
Send us your spec and requirement. We will respond with availability and pricing within 24 hours.