Analytical Services

Peptide purity analysis is one of the most requested tests for research peptides and related compounds. It helps determine how much of the chromatographic profile corresponds to the expected target peptide compared with related impurities or secondary peaks.

Our laboratory commonly uses HPLC and UHPLC methods to separate sample components based on their chemical behavior. The resulting chromatogram allows analysts to evaluate the main peak, secondary peaks, retention time, peak shape, and overall purity profile.

This test is useful for identifying whether a sample appears suitable for further research use, whether purification may be needed, or whether a batch shows signs of degradation, incomplete synthesis, or unexpected related substances.

• RP-HPLC: useful for many peptide samples and hydrophobicity-based separation.
• UHPLC: higher efficiency separation for complex or closely related peaks.
• Size or charge-based methods: useful when aggregation, dimers, or charged variants are relevant.

Identity confirmation helps answer a fundamental question: does the sample match the expected compound? For peptides, this often means comparing the observed molecular mass against the theoretical mass expected from the sequence or formula.

Mass spectrometry can provide strong supporting evidence for identity by detecting the molecular ion, charged states, isotopic distribution, and related adducts. When paired with chromatographic separation, identity testing can also help distinguish the main compound from impurities or closely related components.

This service is especially important when receiving material from a new supplier, checking an unfamiliar batch, confirming a custom synthesis, or investigating inconsistent results.

• ESI-MS: commonly used for peptide and biomolecule mass confirmation.
• MALDI-TOF: useful for rapid molecular weight determination.
• LC-MS: combines separation and mass detection for deeper sample review.

Purity and content are related, but they are not the same. Purity describes the relative chromatographic profile, while content focuses on how much target material is actually present in the sample.

This distinction matters because peptide preparations may contain water, salts, counter-ions, residual solvent, excipients, or other non-peptide material. A sample may show high chromatographic purity while still having a lower actual target content by mass.

Quantification is useful when clients need a better estimate of the active material present, when comparing lots, or when preparing documentation for formulation and research planning.

Impurity profiling provides a deeper look into the additional components present in a sample. These may come from incomplete synthesis, side reactions, purification carryover, degradation during storage, oxidation, hydrolysis, aggregation, or handling conditions.

For peptide materials, impurities may include truncated sequences, deletion sequences, closely related synthetic byproducts, dimers, aggregates, protecting group remnants, degradation products, or other unexpected peaks. Understanding these impurities helps clients evaluate material quality and identify possible process improvements.

This service is often paired with purity analysis and identity confirmation to create a more complete picture of sample quality.

Amino Acid Analysis, often referred to as AAA, is used to evaluate the amino acid composition of a peptide sample. The peptide is hydrolyzed into its individual amino acid residues, which are then measured and compared with the expected composition.

AAA can provide an independent way to support peptide content and composition review. It can be especially useful when mass spectrometry alone does not fully answer the question, when modifications are present, or when the client needs an additional layer of confirmation.

Chemical identity and purity do not address every quality concern. For certain research materials, especially those intended for sensitive biological work, microbial quality markers may also be important.

Endotoxin testing is used to detect bacterial endotoxins, which can remain even when viable bacteria are not present. Sterility testing is used to evaluate whether viable microbial contamination is detected under the conditions of the test.

These services are commonly added to broader COA packages when clients need both chemical and microbiological quality information in the same documentation set.

Heavy metals and elemental impurities may originate from raw materials, catalysts, production equipment, water systems, packaging, or environmental exposure. Even at trace levels, these contaminants may be important depending on the intended use of the material.

Heavy metals analysis helps evaluate whether elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and other metals are present at detectable or concerning levels. This service is often included when clients require broader safety documentation.

Solvents are commonly used during synthesis, extraction, purification, and processing. Residual solvent testing evaluates whether volatile solvent residues remain in the final material after manufacturing or preparation.

This testing is useful for samples where processing history is unclear, where solvent exposure is expected, or where a client wants a more complete quality profile beyond purity and identity.

Not every sample fits a standard testing workflow. Some compounds require custom conditions, special sample preparation, alternate detection methods, or a broader analytical plan. Method development is designed for those cases.

Our team can help evaluate the sample type, expected compound, matrix, reporting objective, and available reference information. From there, we can recommend a practical testing path and determine whether a custom analytical method is needed.

This service is useful for novel compounds, unusual formulations, stability questions, complex mixtures, or clients who need a specific reporting format.