Product Description

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), also known as γ-Aminobutyric Acid or 4-Aminobutanoic Acid, is a naturally occurring non-protein amino acid and an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the nervous system. It is widely used as a functional ingredient in dietary supplements, functional foods, beverages, and nutritional formulations.

GABA has attracted significant interest in the functional food and nutraceutical industries, particularly for formulations associated with relaxation, sleep support, stress management, and nervous system health. It is also used in food and beverage products as a functional ingredient and, in the U.S. food ingredient inventory, is listed for use as a flavoring agent or adjuvant.

CAS No.: 56-12-2 | Molecular Formula: C₄H₉NO₂ | Molecular Weight: 103.12

📄 Free documents available for download: COA, TDS, and MSDS to support quality evaluation, technical assessment, and regulatory review.

COA - GABA - 260324G

MSDS - GAMM-AMINOBUTYRIC-ACID

TDS - GABA

Chemical & Physical Properties

• Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder

• Odor: Odorless

• Solubility: Freely soluble in water

• Molecular Formula: C₄H₉NO₂

• Molecular Weight: 103.12 g/mol

• CAS No.: 56-12-2

• Melting Point: Approximately 195–204°C, with decomposition

• Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions

• Chemical Type: Non-protein amino acid

GABA is highly water-soluble, which makes it particularly convenient for use in beverages, liquid nutritional products, and aqueous formulations.

Specifications

Typical commercial specifications may include:

• Assay: ≥ 99.0%

• Loss on Drying: ≤ 0.5%

• Heavy Metals (as Pb): ≤ 10 ppm

• Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder

• Identification: Conforms

• Purity: High-purity grade available

• Microbiological Specifications: Available according to the intended application and grade

Specifications can be customized according to food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or other application requirements. For example, the current USP-NF dietary supplement monograph defines GABA at 97.5%–101.0% on an as-is basis.

Applications

1. Dietary Supplements & Nutraceuticals

GABA is widely used in dietary supplements designed around relaxation, stress management, sleep support, and nervous system wellness.

It can be formulated into:

• GABA capsules

• Tablets

• Powder supplements

• Effervescent tablets

• Functional gummies

• Multicomponent sleep-support formulas

• Relaxation and stress-management supplements

GABA is often combined with ingredients such as L-Theanine, Magnesium, Melatonin, or botanical extracts in multi-ingredient formulations.

Its established role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter has made it an important ingredient for research and product development related to nervous system function.

2. Functional Foods & Beverages

GABA is increasingly incorporated into functional food and beverage products as a value-added nutritional ingredient.

Typical applications include:

• Functional beverages

• Energy and wellness drinks

• Powdered drink mixes

• Sports and recovery beverages

• Functional teas

• Coffee and cocoa products

• Yogurt and dairy products

• Cereals and nutrition bars

• Confectionery products

• Chocolate products

Its excellent water solubility makes GABA particularly suitable for ready-to-drink beverages and powdered beverage formulations.

FDA GRAS Notice 595 describes proposed use of GABA in products including snack bars, breakfast cereals, processed cheese, chewing gum, yogurt, candies, chocolate, and various beverages.

3. Sleep & Relaxation Formulations

GABA is frequently selected as an ingredient in formulations targeting:

• Relaxation

• Evening wellness

• Sleep-support products

• Stress-management supplements

• Calm-focused functional beverages

For manufacturers, GABA can be incorporated into standalone products or combined with other ingredients to create multi-ingredient relaxation and sleep formulations.

It is important to distinguish formulation positioning from medical claims: the appropriate claims and permitted uses depend on the target market and local regulations.

4. Sports Nutrition

GABA is also used in specialized sports and wellness formulations.

Potential product concepts include:

• Pre-workout and post-workout formulas

• Recovery products

• Sports nutrition powders

• Functional beverages

• Stress-management products for active consumers

Its use in this sector is generally focused on functional nutrition and wellness positioning rather than treating a medical condition.

5. Food & Beverage Fortification

GABA can serve as a functional ingredient in products where manufacturers want to add a differentiated nutritional component.

It can be incorporated into:

• Milk and dairy beverages

• Plant-based beverages

• Fruit and vegetable drinks

• Functional waters

• Instant beverage powders

• Cereals

• Nutrition bars

• Yogurt

• Bakery products

Research has also examined GABA-enriched foods and different food-processing technologies for increasing GABA content while maintaining product quality.

6. Pharmaceutical & Biochemical Research

GABA is an important biochemical compound used in research involving:

• Neurotransmitter mechanisms

• GABAergic signaling

• Nervous system physiology

• Neurochemical metabolism

• Receptor-related research

• Pharmaceutical development

It is also available as a high-purity laboratory reagent for biochemical and analytical applications.

7. Animal Nutrition

GABA is also investigated and used in selected animal nutrition applications, including:

• Livestock nutrition

• Poultry feed

• Aquaculture

• Specialty animal nutrition formulations

Research has explored its potential role in animal stress response, feed utilization, and physiological regulation. Application levels and regulatory status should be assessed according to the specific animal species and destination market.

Advantages

• High-purity functional amino acid

• Excellent water solubility

• Suitable for powder and liquid formulations

• Widely applicable in nutraceutical and functional food products

• Suitable for relaxation and sleep-support product concepts

• Compatible with a wide range of nutritional ingredients

• Available in food and pharmaceutical-oriented grades

• Consistent quality and customizable specifications

• 📄 COA, TDS, and MSDS available for free download

Packaging & Storage

• Packaging: 25 kg kraft paper bag, fiber drum, or customized packaging

• Storage: Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place

• Protection: Protect from moisture, heat, direct sunlight, and contamination

• Handling: Keep the container tightly closed after opening

• Shelf Life: Typically 24 months under recommended storage conditions

Regulatory Status

GABA has established food and dietary-supplement applications in various markets, but regulatory status and permitted claims vary by country and intended use. In the U.S., FDA's food-substance inventory lists 4-aminobutyric acid/GABA and identifies its technical effect as a flavoring agent or adjuvant; a separate GRAS Notice describes proposed food and beverage uses.

For pharmaceutical, food, and nutraceutical applications, the applicable grade, specifications, dosage, labeling requirements, and destination-market regulations should be confirmed before commercialization.

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