Reference

Peptide research glossary

Plain-language definitions of the terms you’ll see on a Certificate of Analysis and across the catalogue. For laboratory research use only.

Certificate of Analysis (COA): A document from a testing laboratory stating a batch’s measured identity and purity. The single most important document when sourcing a research peptide — look for one published before you order. Learn more →
HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography — the analytical method used to measure a peptide’s purity (the percentage of the sample that is the target compound). Learn more →
Mass spectrometry (LC-MS): An analytical technique that confirms a compound’s identity by measuring its molecular mass. Used alongside HPLC to verify a peptide is what it claims to be.
Purity: The proportion of a sample that is the intended compound, expressed as a percentage and measured by HPLC. Higher purity means fewer unknown by-products in an experiment.
Lyophilised: Freeze-dried. Research peptides are supplied as a lyophilised powder because it is stable for storage and lets a researcher reconstitute a known concentration on demand.
Reconstitution: Dissolving a lyophilised peptide in liquid (usually bacteriostatic or sterile water) in the laboratory before use. Learn more →
Bacteriostatic water: Sterile water containing a small amount of benzyl alcohol that inhibits bacterial growth, used to reconstitute lyophilised research peptides. Learn more →
Peptide: A short chain of amino acids — the same building blocks as proteins, in a shorter sequence. Research peptides are synthetic peptides supplied for in-vitro study. Learn more →
Research use only (RUO): A supply designation meaning a compound is for in-vitro laboratory research, not for human or veterinary use, consumption, or therapeutic application.
Batch / lot: A single production run of a compound. Each batch is tested independently and has its own Certificate of Analysis.
CAS number: A unique identifier assigned to a chemical substance by the Chemical Abstracts Service, used to reference a compound unambiguously.
In-vitro: Latin for “in glass” — research performed outside a living organism, e.g. in cell culture or a test tube. Research peptides are supplied for in-vitro work.

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For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, consumption, or therapeutic application.