Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (P5P or PLP) is the phosphate ester of pyridoxal, one of the vitamin B6 compounds. Commercial P5P is made by chemical synthesis, usually starting from pyridoxine, and is sold as a pale yellow to light orange powder, most often as the monohydrate. It is more sensitive to light and heat than pyridoxine hydrochloride and costs more, and brands buy it mainly as powder for capsules and tablets.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
The most common commercial form; check whether the assay is stated on an anhydrous or as-is basis.
Dried material with a higher P5P content per gram; less common.
Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as its calcium salt, offered by some suppliers.
P5P on a carrier or granulated for easier blending and tableting.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
P5P is sensitive to light, heat and moisture, so keep it in sealed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place, and follow any refrigeration advice on the supplier's specification. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay and related substances as the usual retest checks.
Record assay basis and water for each lot, since they change the P5P delivered per gram. Rotate FEFO and watch for color darkening on older lots.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (including its monohydrate and calcium salt) as a source ingredient for vitamin B6.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for vitamin B6 at 1.7 mg for adults and children 4 years and older.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · New York, NY
North American sales office of Kyowa Hakko Bio, a Japanese fermentation company. It sells branded glutathione and citicoline plus pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and vitamin K2 (MK-4) to supplement and food makers.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include monohydrate, anhydrous, calcium salt and diluted or granulated grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect assay (HPLC), related substances, water (Karl Fischer), identity, heavy metals and residual solvents and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
P5P is sensitive to light, heat and moisture, so keep it in sealed, light-proof containers in a cool, dry place, and follow any refrigeration advice on the supplier's specification. Suppliers set shelf life or a retest date, with assay and related substances as the usual retest checks.
Health Canada's Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements monograph lists pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (including its monohydrate and calcium salt) as a source ingredient for vitamin B6. 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv) sets the Reference Daily Intake for vitamin B6 at 1.7 mg for adults and children 4 years and older.
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