What is PQQ, a skin care and brain boosting ingredient?

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a coenzyme of methanol dehydrogenase, is the third cofactor found in membrane-bound bacterial dehydrogenase after flavin nucleotides and nicotinamide nucleotides, which, if recognized by the World Health Organization, would make this the 14th vitamin.

PQQ is similar to water-soluble B vitamins and is found in almost all foods at levels of about 3.65 to 61.0 ng/g [1]. Experimental mice deficient in this substance develop, among other things, low reproductive performance [2], and thus it is hypothesized that it has the same effect on humans.

PQQ is present in human viscera, testes and body fluids, with the highest level of 5.9 ng/g in the spleen [3]. The total content of PQQ and its derivatives in human milk is as high as 140-180 ng/mL, which is dozens of times more than the content of normal food, suggesting that the substance may play a crucial role in the growth and development of newborn infants and children [4]. It has not been proved that higher organisms are able to synthesize PQQ on their own, so it is assumed that PQQ in higher organisms is derived from microorganisms, and different microorganisms secrete PQQ in amounts ranging from 1 pg/mL to 1 mg/mL.

The microorganisms in the intestines of both animals and humans are unable to synthesize PQQ or synthesize it in such small amounts that they cannot meet the body’s needs. Therefore, animals and humans can only obtain PQQ through the dietary route.

These two main functions make it powerful in brain health, cardiovascular health, metabolic function health, etc. Therefore, PQQ has a huge market application value and broad market prospect in the fields of food, medicine, health care products, light industry and agriculture.

China approved PQQ salt obtained by synthesis method and fermentation method as a new food ingredient in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and it can be widely used in food field now.

Hot track development potential for PQQ end-use applications

Despite the multiple physiological benefits of PQQ, brain health/cognitive health and oral cosmetology are the two main tracks in terms of current development.

 

Magic Mirror’s market analysis of sales and year-on-year growth rate of health food segments on the Tmall Taobao platform in the past three years shows that the oral beauty market has the highest sales, and the demand for the brain health category is growing the fastest, with a year-on-year growth rate of up to 99.6%.

Grand View Research market data shows that the global brain health supplements market will be $7.68 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $15.74 billion by 2030.

The cognitive health segment of the U.S. market is also growing significantly, with the U.S. naturally fortified channel health category ranking No. 6 in cognitive health for the 52-week period ending December 2023, with market sales amounting to nearly $46 million, making it the highest-growing health segment, according to data published by SPINS.

Driven by consumers’ personal attitudes, “self-pampering” consumption is setting a new direction for the oral beauty industry, with INNOVA reporting that 1 in 10 global consumers say their primary motivation for changing their diet is to improve skin, hair and nail health.

Early Data report shows that China’s functional food market reaches 307.14 billion yuan in 2022, of which the overall market size of oral beauty exceeds 23 billion yuan, the online channel accounts for more than 30%, with sales of more than 7 billion yuan, and the future growth rate has a large potential.

In recent years, with the clarification of the status of PQQ in the regulations of various countries, the application of related product patents is growing steadily, and the application scenarios are also expanding.

Che Lu[5] analyzed 111 patent applications related to the application of PQQ to the food field from 2002 to 2021, and the patents involving the enhancement of neurological function are the most numerous.

In the direction of functional product development, in addition to a single PQQ ingredient, companies use PQQ in combination with a variety of functional substances and nutrients to expand more functions and consumption scenarios.

Product application combinations

PQQ

Jarrow Formulas PQQ capsules provide 20mg of PQQ daily to support heart and brain health.PQQ, antioxidant – promotes mitochondrial regeneration and protects mitochondria from oxidative stress; metabolic support – contributes to efficient metabolism and cellular energy production.

PQQ + Coenzyme Q10

Both PQQ and Coenzyme Q10 are involved in mitochondrial energy production, and their synergistic use provides better results. This combination is currently the most common pairing of PQQ-related supplements, and is mainly used in heart-healthy, energy-boosting and brain-boosting types of supplements.

NOW PQQ energy Memory Support Dietary Supplement is a 4-in-1 formula with 20mg PQQ daily to improve brain energy deprivation, reduced concentration and attention, 30mg Coenzyme Q10 doubles the effect of PQQ, and 200mg Acetyl L-Carnitine and 1000mcg Vitamin B12 are also added, so that the four effects of the same supplement can be used together to get the brain power.

Doctor’s best High Absorption Coenzyme Q10 & PQQ Dietary Supplement, 5mg PQQ with 100mg Coenzyme Q10 per day, two nutrients to support heart and brain health, added black pepper extract to improve absorption and bioavailability.

Life Extension Coenzyme Q10+PQQ supplement with 100mg of reduced Coenzyme Q10, 100mg of Helichrysum Extract and 10mg of PQQ. Reduced Coenzyme Q10 is more bioavailable; Helichrysum doubles mitochondrial levels of Coenzyme Q10 when used in conjunction with CoQ10; and PQQ synergistically promotes the growth of mitochondria.

Quicksilver Scientific has launched The ONE, a PQQ beverage dosage product, targeting healthy aging. Key ingredients include PQQ, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, tocotrienols, phosphatidylcholine, and a blend of adaptogens including gibberellic acid, acai berry, goji berry, maca root, American ginseng, schizandra, licorice, rhodiola rosea, astragalus, and reishi.

Product Characteristics: The product formula is based on PQQ and Coenzyme Q10 with a variety of ingredients, including a mixture of adaptogen ingredients. It is differentiated from other beverage products.

PQQ+PS

ESTHELIV Research and Development has launched Memory Support Green Bottle Capsules, the original formula of 20mg PQQ with 30mg PS per day, which supports mitochondrial bio-performance and relieves stress and anxiety, suitable for brain workers, middle-aged and elderly people, people who are studying and preparing for exams, and people who are prone to insomnia and anxiety. The brand also launched the PRO version of Neuro science Cognitive Enhancement Dietary Supplement, which adds Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin B6, B12 and Black Peppercorn on top of PQQ+PS to synergize with the four-pronged mechanism and nourish the neurons layer by layer.

PQQ+PS+Collagen Peptide

Wahaha launches YOJIAN Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt effervescent tablet solid drink, the ingredients include maltitol, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, phosphatidylserine (ps), pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (pqq), collagen peptide. Each tablet contains 10mg of PQQ ingredients.

PQQ+DHA

Swisse PLUS introduces PQQ brain booster, a specially formulated daily supplement of 20mg PQQ + 250mg DHA, a double dose of luxury to take care of your eyes and brain.

Swisse PLUS is a unique blend of PQQ and DHA. On the one hand, PQQ serves as a high-quality “fuel” to provide continuous energy for the brain, and on the other hand, DHA strengthens the structure and function of the neural network and stabilizes the number of brain cells. The two complement each other and work together to enhance the brain’s tolerance and adaptability under high-intensity work environment, revitalize brain cells, reduce brain fatigue and improve memory, thus setting a new generation of cellular brain age-defying products as a model.

PQQ and Rhodiola Rosea

Designs for Health has launched a healthy aging oriented PQQ product, Mito-PQQ, an ingredient combination of PQQ and Rhodiola Rosea.

PQQ + Ginkgo Biloba + False Amaranth + Turmeric Extract + Coenzyme Q10

WELNADS new PQQ Cellular Vitalizer, PQQ is extracted from natural ganoderma lucidum, each capsule is added with 40mg of high quality PQQ, and compounded with Ginkgo biloba extract, Pseudo amaranthus extract, turmeric extract and coenzyme Q10, which is a 5-in-1 anti-aging brain supplement.

MBS Biotechnology, a dietary supplement brand, offers a combination of liquid PQQ, liquid coenzyme Q10 and liquid turmeric to help consumers reap the benefits of heart health, cognitive health and overall health.

PQQ in Oral Cosmetic Applications

PQQ and Ergothioneine

The combination of PQQ salt and ergothioneine (for which Xanax Health has applied for the trademark EnginQ®) has been found to have a positive effect on collagen synthesis in skin cells through cellular experiments, especially in a model simulating ultraviolet (UV)-induced photoaging, showing a significant increase in the expression of collagen types I and III.

In addition, the PQQ salt collagen small molecule peptide assemblies also showed positive effects in inhibiting zebrafish tail fin area wrinkling and upregulating the expression of elastin and collagen synthesis genes in a zebrafish photoaging model experiment.
The PQQ salt collagen small molecule peptide combination was also shown to promote collagen production in mouse skin in a mouse model.

ALLNATURE Anmitage (PQQ + Spermidine)

Allnature PQQ complex dietary supplement, Tmall flagship store poster labeled the cumulative sales of 400W +, the product contains three major resurfacing factors – PQQ oxidation regulator, spermidine against aging, erythritol hydration and moisturizing.

Spermidine + PQQ efficient partner, can be more effective to make the cells young. The brand has also launched PQQ Sodium Hyaluronate Collagen Tripeptide Oral Liquid and PQQ Spermidine Erythritol Solid Drink to meet the different needs of consumers.

ESTHELIV Research Life Force (PQQ + VE)

ESTHELIV has launched PQQ products for brain health, liver health, skin health and ovarian health in various directions. Among them, Cellular skin recovery cellular skin resurfacing small purple bullet, Tmall flagship store poster labeled the whole network monthly sales of 5,000 +, the main scientific cellular skin resurfacing components PQQ + VE, both internal and external cultivation of new lily muscle.

External protection against exogenous sun exposure: PQQ, cellular coenzyme, protects against UVA damage, even skin tone and brighten the skin; high activity vitamin E, antioxidant/reduce free radicals, protection against sunlight radiation.

Internally against endogenous collagen loss: PQQ, endogenous collagen, plumps and firms the skin, awakens SIRT 1 & SIRT 3, stabilizes the foundation Sweeps away cellular waste; highly active vitamin E, protects collagen and elastin.

Esmond Natural Esmond Natural (PQQ complex)

Fountain of Youth PQQ Snow Lotus Complex Dietary Supplement, 14 nutrients, age reduction from the cellular level. 10mg PQQ repair intrinsic pampering of the skin, 50mg Oat Beta Glucan to help collagen synthesis, 50mg Snow Lotus cultures & 50mg ginseng high-end luxury skin care, but also added GABA, acerola cherry fruits, yeast powder, chitosan and other ingredients.

Naturies Naturies (PQQ complex)

Revenbeauty PQQ HA elastic protein niacinamide drink, 12 resurfacing factors, the whole face empowered. PQQ, against time “black technology”; collagen peptide + hyaluronic acid + elastin, myogenic triangle directly hit the dermis; manuka honey + niacinamide, easy to repair and remodeling of the muscle; grapeseed, acerola cherry, Mulberry, Lemon, Raspberry extracts, multiple youthful factors in the face.

PQQ + collagen + hyaluronic acid

PQQ Collagen Peptide Drink, a brand of East China Pharmaceutical, is a triple-activation formula developed by East China Pharmaceutical.

1 heavy – PQQ activation cell layer, KO aging antioxidant; 2 heavy – collagen activation dermis, three fish collagen peptide synergistic effect; 3 heavy – sodium hyaluronate activation epidermis, thousands of times the locking force of water, to reduce wrinkles to create hydrated skin. In addition, GABA, Astaxanthin, Glutathione, Chitosan and Blood Orange Powder are also added to synergize the effect of 5 ingredients.