ALA
CAS 106-60-5
Purity≥98.0%
5-Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride for biochemical and formulation research
For B2B ingredient sourcing, request the specification, batch COA, sample, packaging and lead-time confirmation. Explore healthy-aging ingredients.
Confirm hydrochloride salt identity and light-protected handling.
Key Specifications
| Product Positioning | 5-Aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride for biochemical and formulation research |
| Application Scenarios | porphyrin-pathway research · photodynamic formulation screening · light-sensitive biochemical systems |
| CAS Number | 106-60-5 |
| Purity | ≥98.0% |
| Molecular Formula | C₅H₉NO₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 131.13 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| Storage | 2–8°C, protect from light |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
Procurement & delivery
Supply details confirmed by intended use, volume and target market
5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA, CAS 106-60-5) is a naturally occurring non-protein amino acid with the molecular formula C5H9NO3 and a molecular weight of 131.13 g/mol. It is the first committed intermediate in the tetrapyrrole (porphyrin/heme and chlorophyll) biosynthetic pathway found in nearly all living cells, from bacteria to plants and humans. While trace amounts occur naturally in the body, commercial bulk 5-ALA is produced industrially through microbial fermentation: engineered production strains (commonly E. coli or yeast) overexpressing 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase are cultivated under controlled fed-batch conditions, after which the target molecule is recovered and purified from the fermentation broth using chromatographic separation and crystallization.
High-Purity ≥98.0%
Each batch is manufactured and tested to a guaranteed minimum assay of 98.0%, verified by HPLC against a certified reference standard prior to release.
Controlled Biosynthetic Production
Produced via a synthetic biology fermentation platform using engineered microbial strains and enzymatic (ALA synthase-driven) conversion, giving consistent batch-to-batch quality without reliance on plant extraction.
Consistent White Crystalline Form
Supplied as a uniform white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in water, simplifying handling, weighing, and downstream formulation.
Verified Contaminant Testing
Every lot is screened for heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As) and microbial limits (total plate count, yeast/mold, E. coli, Salmonella) to support finished-product safety compliance.
Flexible Bulk & OEM Supply
Available in flexible bulk quantities with custom packaging, labeling, and OEM/private-label documentation to fit supplement, cosmetic, and agricultural customer requirements.
| Molecular Formula | C₅H₉NO₃ |
| Molecular Weight | 131.13 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| Storage Condition | 2–8°C, protect from light |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| Grade 1 | Phosphate Salt · ≥98.0% · COA |
| Grade 2 | Hydrochloride Salt · ≥98.0% · COA |
| Test Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless or nearly odorless |
| Assay (HPLC) | ≥98.0% |
| Particle Size | 100% through 80 mesh |
| Loss on Drying | ≤1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition (Sulfated Ash) | ≤0.5% |
| pH (1% aqueous solution) | 3.0–5.0 |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤2 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤1 ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤1 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤2 ppm |
| Total Plate Count | ≤1000 CFU/g |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤100 CFU/g |
| E. coli / Salmonella | Negative/25g |
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Tablets
Sublingual tablets
Oral dissolving films
5-ALA and ferrous iron are complementary precursors in heme biosynthesis and have been evaluated together in human nutrition studies. Dose, iron status and population-specific safety must be assessed before formulation.
Evidence: Direct evidence: randomized and safety studies evaluated 5-ALA phosphate with sodium ferrous citrate.Source
Literature-Supported Research Directions
5-Aminolevulinic acid is a precursor in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. At suitable low concentrations, plant studies have linked exogenous ALA with chlorophyll accumulation, photosynthesis and growth responses; excessive exposure can produce opposite effects.
Citation: Hotta et al., Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (1997): ALA effects on photosynthesis, chlorophyll and plant growth.View source
Field and seedling studies have evaluated ALA for drought, salinity and oxidative-stress responses, including changes in antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic parameters and ion distribution. Crop, dose and application method must be validated separately.
Citation: Mohammadi et al., Scientific Reports (2023); Wu et al., Frontiers in Plant Science (2021).View source
ALA can be evaluated in foliar-spray, seedling-treatment and nutrient-assisted agricultural formulations. Compatibility, light stability, crop safety and concentration-response windows are essential development parameters.
Citation: Hotta et al., Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (1997).View source
Note: For ingredient R&D and scientific information; findings depend on model, dose, formulation and population and do not constitute a treatment claim or efficacy guarantee.
Lead Time
3–5business days
Standard products are generally in stock; confirm the exact lead time with us.
Minimum Order
1 kg
Samples, pilot trials, and commercial volumes are supported.
Foil Pouch
Sealed, moisture-protective inner packaging
Insulated Box + Carton
For products requiring temperature-controlled transport
Bulk Shipping
Palletized and stretch-wrapped for protection
Ambient storage: foil pouch + fiber drum; temperature controlled: foil pouch + insulated box/carton. Confirm by product.
Custom packaging: Custom foil bags or HDPE drums, GMP label printing, and export documentation are available. Contact us for a quote.Images are packaging illustrations.
Certifications
Strain Engineering & Seed Culture
A production microorganism (typically E. coli or yeast) engineered to overexpress 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase and related pathway enzymes is revived and expanded through seed culture stages to build sufficient healthy biomass.
Fed-Batch Fermentation
Seed culture is transferred into production bioreactors where temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and feeding of carbon source and precursors (e.g., glycine) are tightly controlled to drive enzymatic conversion into 5-ALA via the biosynthetic pathway.
Broth Clarification
Fermentation broth is harvested and cell biomass is removed by centrifugation and/or microfiltration, yielding a clarified liquid containing dissolved 5-ALA.
Chromatographic Capture & Decolorization
The clarified broth is passed through ion-exchange resin to selectively capture 5-ALA, followed by decolorization steps to remove pigments and fermentation by-products.
Concentration & Crystallization
The purified 5-ALA solution is concentrated under controlled conditions and induced to crystallize, producing a defined crystal form suited for stable bulk handling.
Drying & Milling
Crystals are separated, dried under low-temperature and light-protected conditions to minimize degradation, and milled/sieved to achieve the target particle size and uniform white powder form.
Quality Testing
Each batch undergoes HPLC assay, appearance, moisture, heavy metals, and microbial testing against internal and pharmacopoeia-referenced specifications before release.
Packaging & Storage
Finished 5-ALA is packed in moisture-proof, light-protective containers under inert or desiccant-controlled conditions and stored/shipped cold or ambient with recommended cool, dry, dark storage to preserve stability.
Purity is determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) against a certified 5-ALA reference standard, typically after suitable derivatization or at a low-UV wavelength given the molecule's weak native chromophore. Because 5-ALA can exist as the free acid (as here, MW 131.13) or as more stable salt forms (e.g., hydrochloride, MW ~167.6), buyers should always confirm the exact salt form, assay basis, and certificate of analysis for each batch before calculating dosage or label claims.
5-ALA is freely soluble in water, allowing straightforward incorporation into aqueous solutions, drops, and beverage-type formats. Because the compound is sensitive to heat, light, and elevated pH — conditions that can promote self-condensation into pyrazine-type degradation products — formulators are advised to work in mildly acidic aqueous systems, minimize prolonged heat exposure during processing, and protect finished formulations from light. For solid dosage forms (capsules, tablets) and agricultural foliar sprays, compatibility testing with excipients or tank-mix partners is recommended to confirm stability under intended storage and use conditions.
Each production batch is tested by HPLC against a certified reference standard, and a certificate of analysis (COA) covering assay, appearance, and impurity limits is issued with every shipment. Third-party retesting is welcomed and pre-shipment samples can be arranged.
Our 5-ALA is produced via a controlled microbial fermentation and enzymatic conversion platform using engineered production strains, rather than plant extraction or purely chemical synthesis. This biosynthetic route supports consistent quality and scalable, traceable production.
5-ALA is freely soluble in water. It is moisture- and light-sensitive, so we recommend storing it in a cool, dry, dark place in its original sealed packaging and minimizing exposure once opened.
Yes, small samples are available for evaluation purposes, typically accompanied by the current COA and safety data sheet. Please contact our sales team with your intended application to arrange a sample.
Yes, we support third-party laboratory verification of purity, heavy metals, and microbial limits, and can facilitate sample submission to a testing lab of your choice.
Yes, we offer OEM/private-label support including custom packaging, labeling, and documentation to meet regulatory requirements in your target markets, for dietary supplement, cosmetic, and agricultural applications.
Standard packaging includes moisture-proof, light-protective aluminum foil bags or drums in various bulk sizes, with desiccant included where appropriate. Custom packaging sizes and materials can be discussed based on order volume.
MOQ varies by intended use and packaging format; please contact our sales team with your target volume, application, and destination market for a tailored quotation and lead time estimate.
Documents are subject to product and batch availability; third-party reports are provided only when applicable.
Quality documents
The specification sheet defines acceptance limits. The COA shows actual batch results, which may vary by batch. Third-party reports are provided only for products or batches that have been independently tested.
Stable acceptance criteria · Available on request
Technical Resources
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Alex Huang · Mon–Fri 9am–6pm CST
