Modern life leaves many people feeling tired, unfocused, and slow to recover—not just the elderly, but also young professionals. Caffeine offers only a quick fix, not real energy support. PQQ, found in foods like natto, green tea, and spinach, has drawn interest for its role in cellular energy. Research suggests it may help maintain mitochondrial health, reduce oxidative stress, support muscle recovery, and improve brain function. As scientific evidence grows, PQQ is moving from a niche ingredient to a promising functional supplement. This summary covers PQQ's sources, biological effects, regulatory status, and market potential for supporting energy and vitality.
Modern lifestyles are quietly consuming human energy reserves. Declining energy levels are no longer a problem exclusively associated with older adults. An increasing number of young people and office workers are also experiencing this phenomenon.
As the pace of modern life continues to accelerate, the global proportion of people experiencing fatigue and insufficient energy is continuously increasing. In response to this “energy crisis,” many people turn to caffeine and other temporary stimulants for quick relief. However, these approaches often provide short-term support rather than addressing the fundamental causes.
Therefore, an important question has emerged: Is there a nutritional ingredient that can help improve energy metabolism from the cellular level?
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is providing a potential answer.
Understanding PQQ: Sources and Structure
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is widely distributed in nature. Natural sources include natto, green tea, green peppers, kiwi fruit, papaya, spinach, and other foods.
However, the amount of PQQ naturally present in these foods is extremely low. Taking natto, a fermented soybean product considered to contain one of the highest levels of PQQ among natural foods, as an example, its estimated maximum content is only approximately 61 ± 31 nanograms/g wet weight.
Therefore, commercial PQQ products currently available on the market are generally not directly extracted from natural foods. The commonly used production method is microbial fermentation. Through fermentation using microorganisms such as Methanomonas, Acinetobacter, and Gluconobacter, PQQ can be separated and purified from fermentation broth to obtain high-purity PQQ products. This production approach offers controllable costs and stable purity, making it the industry-standard manufacturing method.
PQQ From Xi'an Innov Biotechnology
The chemical name of PQQ is 4,5-dioxo-1-pyrrolo-2,3-f-quinoline-2,7,9-tricarboxylic acid. Its molecular formula is C14H6N2O8, with a relative molecular mass of 330.21.
PQQ is considered a B-vitamin-like compound and is recognized as the third redox coenzyme discovered in bacterial dehydrogenases, following nicotinamide nucleotides and flavin nucleotides.
From a chemical structure perspective, PQQ contains three carboxylic acid groups, which allow it to bind with proteins, and two keto groups that contribute to its redox activity. It has good water solubility and biological compatibility, allowing it to exist in ionic form within organisms, be efficiently absorbed by cells, and participate in metabolic processes.
In addition, PQQ appears as reddish-brown crystals, with an isoelectric point of 2.75 and a melting point of 250°C.
PQQ: The “Energy Manager” of the Human Body
PQQ targets mitochondria, the source of cellular energy production. It not only helps repair and regenerate mitochondria but also supports muscle endurance and cognitive function, providing comprehensive management of human energy metabolism. For this reason, PQQ has been described as an “energy manager” of the human body.
1) Repairing and Regenerating Mitochondria — Strengthening the Foundation of Cellular Energy Production
Mitochondria are often referred to as the “energy factories” of cells. Approximately 95% of human energy is generated through mitochondrial activity, and mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction is considered to be closely associated with many characteristics of aging.
The unique feature of PQQ is that it may not only support damaged mitochondria but also stimulate the formation of new mitochondria, a function that differs from traditional antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.
At the mitochondrial repair level, a 2013 study conducted by a research team at the University of California found that healthy adults who supplemented with 20 mg of PQQ daily showed significant improvements in ATP synthesis efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity in their blood after only 3 days.
Furthermore, a 2023 study published in Cell Death & Disease revealed that PQQ may actively remove damaged mitochondria and enhance mitochondrial autophagy, helping restore the efficient operation of cellular energy factories.
Regarding mitochondrial regeneration, PQQ activates key signaling pathways such as PGC-1α, directly promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Through this mechanism, PQQ may increase the quantity and quality of mitochondria, continuously improving cellular energy supply efficiency.
2) Enhancing Muscle Endurance — Improving Exercise Performance and Recovery
Persistent muscle soreness after exercise is essentially related to oxidative damage caused by excessive mitochondrial workload. During intense physical activity, mitochondria produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may contribute to muscle cell fatigue.
PQQ’s strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play an important role in this process. It can help reduce exercise-induced tissue damage, thereby improving muscle endurance and shortening recovery time.
A 2019 study involving 23 male participants showed that after daily supplementation with 20 mg of PQQ combined with six weeks of training, the level of the mitochondrial biogenesis regulator PGC-1α increased from 4.59 ng/mg to 10.42 ng/mg.
In comparison, the placebo group only increased from 3.95 ng/mg to 5.55 ng/mg.
This significant increase indicates that PQQ activated the PGC-1α signaling pathway, promoting the generation of new mitochondria in muscle cells, optimizing energy metabolism, and providing a more sufficient ATP supply to support sustained physical activity.
Animal studies have also confirmed that PQQ supplementation may support muscle recovery by reducing free radicals and suppressing NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby enhancing muscle endurance and helping alleviate muscle fatigue and exercise-related damage.
3) Sharpening Brain Function — Reducing Brain Fog and Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline is not only a concern among older adults. According to the China Alzheimer’s Disease Blue Book, the prevalence of subjective cognitive decline among older adults reaches 46.4%. At the same time, people engaged in high-intensity cognitive activities, such as students and programmers, may also experience problems including reduced concentration and slower thinking.
A 2023 double-blind trial published in Food & Function investigated the effects of PQQ supplementation in younger populations. The study found that individuals aged 20–40 years who supplemented with 20 mg of PQQ daily showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and executive function after only 8 weeks compared with the placebo group.
Furthermore, the researchers were able to distinguish with 100% accuracy whether participants had received PQQ supplementation based on cognitive test results.
In this study, participants’ scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) increased by an average of 4 points, indicating comprehensive improvements in key cognitive dimensions, including attention, memory, and language abilities.
Research suggests that PQQ can cross the blood-brain barrier, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain, activate anti-inflammatory pathways, and stimulate the production of nerve growth factors, thereby helping protect and support the growth of nerve cells.
Global Regulatory Approval Status of PQQ
Globally, PQQ has gradually received recognition from multiple regulatory authorities.
In 2013, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan approved PQQ disodium salt as a non-drug ingredient.
In 2016, PQQ disodium salt received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the United States.
In 2018, the European Commission approved PQQ disodium salt as a Novel Food.
In China, the National Health Commission of China approved chemically synthesized PQQ disodium salt as a new food ingredient in 2022. Subsequently, in 2023, PQQ disodium salt produced through fermentation was also approved as a new food ingredient.
Market Prospects and Application Trends of PQQ
According to Boyan Consulting, China’s PQQ market reached RMB 960 million in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 20.0%. This growth rate is significantly higher than the global average growth rate of 14.3%.
The Chinese PQQ market is expected to reach RMB 1.152 billion in 2026, representing another 20.0% increase compared with 2025, continuing its strong growth momentum.
PQQ has a wide range of application possibilities and can be combined with ingredients such as spermidine and inositol to develop products targeting areas including anti-aging, liver health, and cognitive support.
In addition, in recent years, cosmetic-grade PQQ ingredients have also been introduced, expanding its applications into the beauty and skincare sector.
For product developers and researchers, PQQ is gradually transforming from a trending ingredient into a nutritional component with long-term value, supported by extensive mechanistic research, regulatory approvals across multiple countries, and a rapidly expanding market.
Regional Market Applications of PQQ
1) North American and European Markets
From a global regional perspective, PQQ products in North America and Europe mainly focus on applications related to energy enhancement, brain health, and anti-aging.
2) Asian Markets
In Japan, some PQQ products are marketed with claims related to maintaining attention and working memory.
The Chinese market is currently at an early stage of development. The most common dosage form of PQQ products in China is solid beverages. These solid beverage products are typically designed as small-dose drink mixes. In addition to the core ingredient PQQ, they are usually formulated with other functional ingredients to provide combined nutritional benefits.
Conclusion
In the long-term battle against declining energy levels, the emergence of PQQ represents a shift in nutritional intervention—from simply providing temporary stimulation to supporting deeper cellular mechanisms.
Unlike caffeine, which mainly provides short-term stimulation by increasing alertness, PQQ focuses on strengthening the body’s internal energy system through mechanisms such as supporting mitochondrial repair and regeneration, enhancing muscle endurance, and supporting cognitive function.
Overall, PQQ may not only help address current feelings of fatigue but also provide deeper nutritional support for long-term cellular vitality.
With increasing scientific understanding and consumer awareness, PQQ is expected to have broader application prospects in functional foods and nutritional products.
References
- Boyan Consulting. China Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) Industry Market Size and Investment Prospect Forecast Analysis Report.
- Li Zhongzhu, Yang Yang. Research Progress on Functional Properties and Products of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone. Journal of Food Safety & Quality Detection Technology, 2023, 14(22): 252-258.
- Sun Xianzhi, Liu Qian, Liu Xiaojie, et al. Physiological Functions and Application Progress of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone. Food and Fermentation Science & Technology, 2026, 62(2): 100-109.
- Harris CB, Chowanadisai W, Mishchuk DO, et al. Dietary pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) alters indicators of inflammation and mitochondrial-related metabolism in human subjects. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2013, 24(12): 2076-2084.
- Sagar S, Faizan MI, Chaudhary N, et al. Obesity impairs cardiolipin-dependent mitophagy and therapeutic intercellular mitochondrial transfer ability of mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Death & Disease, 2023, 5:324.
- Tamakoshi M, Suzuki T, Nishihara E, et al. Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt improves brain function in both younger and older adults. Food & Function, 2023, 14(5):2496-2501.