Food Grade γ-Aminobutyric Acid

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a four-carbon, non-protein amino acid that is widely distributed throughout biological organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. In plants and bacteria, GABA plays a metabolic role in the Krebs cycle. In vertebrates, it is a potent neural signal transmitter. GABA is widely recognized as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Its physiological functions include modulating synaptic transmission, promoting neuronal development and relaxation, and helping to prevent sleeplessness and depression. Beyond its neurological functions, GABA has also demonstrated various pharmaceutical properties in non-neuronal peripheral tissues and organs. These include effects related to anti-hypertension, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, anti-allergy, and hepato-protection. Furthermore, GABA has been reported as a protective agent for the liver, kidneys, and intestines against toxin-induced damage. Given the extensive knowledge of GABA's diverse physiological functions, there has been significant interest in developing functional foods that contain GABA.

Fig.1 Potential health benefits of GABA-enriched foods. Hou, Dianzhi, et al. "Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): A comprehensive review of dietary sources, enrichment technologies, processing effects, health benefits, and its applications." Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 64.24 (2024): 8852-8874.

γ-Aminobutyric Acid Product Options

γ-Aminobutyric acid is a naturally occurring non-protein amino acid with key neurotransmitter, relaxation, and functional food applications. It is also used in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Food Grade GABA

Nutraceutical Grade GABA

Pharmaceutical Grade GABA

Cosmetic Grade GABA

Food Grade γ-Aminobutyric Acid Product Overview

Basic Information

Chemical Name: γ-Aminobutyric acid
Formula: C₄H₉NO₂
Molecular Weight: 103.12 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol
Origin: Found naturally in the human brain

Advantages

High Safety: Our GABA is produced through bio-fermentation, ensuring it is of non-animal origin.
High Purity: The GABA content is consistently over 98%, meeting high purity and quality standards.
Personalized Service: We are committed to providing comprehensive technical support tailored to your specific needs.

Applications

Items	Applications	Benefits
Common Food	Drinks, chocolates, candy, cakes, dairy products, biscuits, sauces, etc.	Reduce stress, enhance concentration. improve sleep, soothe emotions, and boost overall wellness
Health Food	Tablets, granules, oral liquid, chewable tablets, capsules, etc.	Relieve anxiety and stress, improve sleep, reduce physical fatigue, and boost immunity.

Strain Selection & Optimization

Typical hosts: Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Corynebacterium glutamicum
Engineered strains with enhanced glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity.
Non-GMO or GMO routes available depending on regulatory requirements.

Fermentation (Food-Grade)

Substrate: Glucose or other sugars + monosodium glutamate (MSG) as precursor.
Conditions: pH 4.0–5.5 (acidic for GAD activity), temperature 30–37 °C.
Bioreactors: 5–2000 L fermenters, depending on scale.
Yield: Optimized fermentation can achieve ≥100 g/L GABA.

Downstream Purification

Steps:

Cell separation (centrifugation or microfiltration).
Removal of proteins and byproducts (activated carbon, ion exchange).
Crystallization and drying.

Final product: ≥98% pure GABA, food-grade compliant, free from microbial contaminants.

Quality Control

Tests performed:

oPurity (HPLC)
oHeavy metals (ICP-MS)
oMicrobial limit tests (per food-grade standards)
oResidual MSG check

Deliverables

Engineered or natural strain for fermentation
Lab → pilot → industrial scale production support
Downstream purification optimization
Compliance with food-grade (FDA, EFSA, GB) standards
Custom molecular profile (standard or high-purity GABA)

Customer Reviews

The food-grade GABA supplied through this service has exceeded our expectations in both purity and consistency. Our formulation team was able to integrate it seamlessly into our stress-relief supplement line, and the QC data provided gave us confidence to launch quickly. Excellent technical support as well.

- Dr. Michael Tan

Director of Product Innovation

We were looking for a reliable partner for natural fermentation-based GABA production. The team delivered high-quality food-grade GABA that enhanced the calming effect of our functional tea products. The scalable production model helped us prepare for large-volume beverage launches.

- Anna Rodriguez

Head of R&D

The GABA purity and food-grade compliance were outstanding. Our company focuses on traditional foods with modern health benefits, and this GABA ingredient aligned perfectly with regulatory requirements in Asia. The technical documentation was thorough and well-prepared.

- Kenji Sato

Chief Formulation Scientist

We have been sourcing food-grade GABA for functional nutrition blends, and this service provided one of the most professional and transparent experiences we’ve had. From pilot-scale testing to full-scale supply, the process was efficient, and customer support was responsive to all our needs.

- Laura Chen

Senior Manager, Global Sourcing

Partner with Us

Whether you are looking for a reliable partner for small-scale R&D or large-scale commercial production of GABA, our food-grade GABA CDMO services provide the expertise, flexibility, and quality you need. From fermentation and purification to formulation and regulatory compliance, we are equipped to support every stage of your GABA production process, helping you deliver superior products to your customers.