A certificate of analysis shows whether a peptide product meets quality standards. This document comes from laboratory testing and lists important details about purity and composition. Buyers should always request a COA before purchasing peptides. Identifying these certificates helps avoid low-quality products. see here the key sections of a COA and what each number and graph means for product safety.
Purity percentage verification
The purity percentage shows how much real peptide is in the product. Quality peptides have purity above 95 percent. This number appears near the top of the certificate. Laboratories use HPLC testing to measure this value. A lower purity number means more impurities. Among these are incomplete peptides and leftover chemicals from manufacturing. It contains 98 percent of the target molecule and 2 percent of other material. Some peptides cannot reach purity because of their structure. Most therapeutic peptides should still be above 95 percent pure. Compare the certificate purity to what the seller claims. Large differences mean the product may not match the description.
HPLC test results
HPLC stands for high-performance liquid chromatography. This test separates different substances in the peptide sample. The certificate shows a graph called a chromatogram. This graph has peaks that represent different compounds. The tallest peak should be the peptide you ordered. Important parts of the chromatogram include:
- Retention time marks when each substance passes through the testing equipment
- Peak size shows the amount of each substance present
- Many small peaks mean impurities or breakdown products exist
- One large peak means the product has high purity
- The graph baseline should be mostly flat and smooth
The main peak should match the molecular weight listed for the peptide. Smaller peaks before or after it often come from incomplete manufacturing or degradation. Good laboratories label their chromatograms clearly with all measurements.
Mass spectrometry data
Mass spectrometry checks if the peptide has the right molecular weight. This test measures the exact mass of molecules in the sample. The certificate lists two weights: the expected weight and the estimated weight. These numbers should be very close, usually within 0.1 to 0.5 daltons. The data may appear as numbers or as a spectrum graph. The graph shows peaks at different mass values. The main peak should match the expected molecular weight of the peptide. Some extra peaks are normal, like those from sodium or potassium attachment. Peaks at wrong masses suggest the wrong peptide or serious contamination. This test finds major manufacturing mistakes that other tests might miss.
Batch number identification
Each COA must show a batch number that matches the product label. This number connects the certificate to the exact peptide batch purchased. Manufacturers create these numbers using their own system of letters and numbers. Keep this number with the certificate for future reference. Batch numbers serve important functions. They allow tracking if problems occur with the product. Manufacturers can investigate issues and remove specific batches from sale if necessary. The certificate date should be recent, usually from the past year. Old certificates may not show current manufacturing quality. Some sellers incorrectly reuse certificates from different batches. The batch number on the product container must exactly match the COA.
Accreditation standards
Real COAs come from accredited testing facilities. The certificate must name the laboratory that did the testing. Good laboratories hold certifications like ISO 17025. This certification proves they use proper testing methods. Some companies test their products, which creates possible bias. Outside testing removes this problem and builds confidence. The laboratory name should be easy to find online with real credentials. Confirm the lab exists and actually tests peptides. Fake certificates sometimes use made-up laboratory names. Having lab contact information allows buyers to verify results when needed.
