Griffonia seed extract is a natural amino acid extracted from dried Ghana seeds, the main active ingredient is 5-hydroxytryptophan. 5-Hydroxytryptophan, whose chemical name is 5-hydroxy-3-indolyl-α-amino propionic acid, English abbreviation 5-HTP, the molecular formula is C11H12N2O, is an organic compound, the appearance is light white gray powder, Insoluble in water, soluble in methanol and ethanol. Ghana seed extract is the main source of 5-hydroxytryptophan currently on the market.

Ghana seeds are the dried seeds of the mesquite plant Ghana grain. Ghana seed plants bear fruit from December to February of the following year. There are generally 1-4 seeds in the fruit pod. The appearance of Ghana seeds is round to oblong. The skin is black and wrinkled, with a slight bean flavor, native to West Africa. Using dry Ghana seeds as raw material, the Ghana seed extract can be prepared by hydrothermal reflux extraction method, alcohol-heat reflux extraction method, ultrasonic extraction method, and other processes.

5-Hydroxytryptophan can promote the production of serotonin (ie serotonin) in the human body, and serotonin can be converted into melatonin. When its content increases, the content of melatonin will also increase, and melatonin can improve sleep. quality. Therefore, Ghana seed extract can relieve insomnia and improve sleep. In addition, Ghana seed extract also has the effects of suppressing appetite, relieving anxiety, relieving depression, and central analgesia. Ghana seed extract can be used in the treatment of insomnia, depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, obesity, headache, abdominal pain, and other diseases.

5-Hydroxytryptophan can also be produced by chemical methods, but it is difficult to prepare. Therefore, the current commercial 5-hydroxytryptophan is mainly Ghana seed extract, which is safer. Ghana seeds are grown in limited areas and there is a growth cycle, so the market penetration of Ghana seed extracts is low. In addition, there is still a lack of scientific evidence for the role of Ghana seed extract in regulating sleep, treating depression, and losing weight, and its application in the medical and health care fields is still controversial. In the future, its application effect and safety research needs to be further deepened.

At this stage, Ghana seed extract can be used in the field of health care product manufacturing in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries worldwide, and is listed as a drug in some countries. There are more than 20 countries that have listed related products. Due to controversial medical and health effects and limited production, the number of countries that have approved Ghana seed extract-related products to market is relatively small. The global Ghana seed extract manufacturers are mainly located in China. my country imports Ghana seed raw materials from Africa, and the Ghana seed extract produced is mainly exported to Europe and the United States.