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Short answer
How is every batch tested before sale?
Each batch is logged and held when it arrives. [lab] tests a sample for purity by HPLC and identity by mass spectrometry. The batch goes on sale only after the certificate is published under its batch number.
- 01Batch arrivesThe batch is logged and held. Nothing sells before its result comes back.
- 02Lab tests a samplePurity by HPLC, identity by mass spectrometry, at an independent lab.
- 03Certificate goes liveThe report is published under the batch number, then the stock is released.
What does HPLC purity measure?
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separates a sample into its components. The detector records each component as a peak. Purity is the target peptide's peak area as a percentage of all detected peaks. A result of 99.2% means 0.8% of the detected material is something else, such as truncated sequences or synthesis by-products.
What does mass spectrometry confirm?
Mass spectrometry measures the mass of the molecule. When the measured mass matches the expected molecular mass of the peptide, identity is confirmed. HPLC alone cannot confirm identity, because a different molecule can produce a clean single peak.
What is net content and why does it matter?
Net peptide content is the share of the powder's weight that is peptide, as opposed to counter-ions such as acetate, and residual water. A vial can show 99% HPLC purity and still contain less than its labelled peptide weight, because HPLC purity measures the share of peptide among detected components and leaves out water and counter-ions.
| MEASURE | WHAT IT ANSWERS | METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | What share of the detected material is the target peptide? | HPLC |
| Identity | Is it the right molecule? | Mass spectrometry |
| Net content | How much peptide is in the powder? | Amino acid analysis or quantitative methods |
Which laboratory runs the tests?
[Lab name, location and accreditation from Nico.]
What can a certificate not tell you?
A certificate describes the sample tested on the date shown. It does not show sterility or endotoxin unless those tests are listed, and it cannot show how a vial was stored after dispatch.
Testing questions
Where can I get peptides tested for purity in Australia?
Analytical chemistry labs that offer HPLC and mass spectrometry test peptide samples. [Lab details from Nico.]
What is a good purity level for peptides?
The certificate reports the measured purity for each batch. [Minimum purity threshold from Nico.] HPLC purity describes the share of the target peptide among detected components.
How much does it cost to test a peptide for purity?
[Typical lab pricing not supplied.] Cost depends on the lab and the tests requested (HPLC, mass spectrometry, net content).
What is the most accurate test for peptides?
No single test covers everything. HPLC measures purity, mass spectrometry confirms identity and amino acid analysis measures net content. A full certificate uses more than one.
How do I test if my peptides are real?
Search the batch number in the certificate library and check the lab's report number with the lab. For independent confirmation, an analytical lab can run HPLC and mass spectrometry on a sample.
What does HPLC measure?
HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) separates a sample into its components. Purity is the share of the detected material that is the target peptide, reported as a percentage of total peak area.
What does mass spectrometry confirm?
Mass spectrometry measures the mass of the molecule. A match to the expected molecular mass confirms the identity of the peptide.
What is net peptide content?
The share of the powder's weight that is peptide, as opposed to counter-ions and residual water.
How long does testing take?
[Lab turnaround from Nico.] Stock stays on hold until the certificate is published.
What happens if a batch fails?
A batch that fails identity or falls below [threshold] purity does not go on sale. [Policy from Nico.]