HPLC Explained

hplc machineOne of the more important aspects of peptides that are used for scientific study on animal test subjects involves the process of determining the effectiveness of the materials involved in conducting the research.  Specifically, it is imperative that the purity of the peptides involved is scrutinized, especially in terms of long-term research projects.  If a peptide is at or close to 100% in its purity level, the end results of the research will be consistent.  If a peptide does not approach these high numbers of purity, a higher rate of variability can be introduced into the research phase, thus causing a potential disruption to the integrity of the studies being conducted.

There are a few techniques that have been crafted in order to determine the overall purity of a research peptide before it is put to use.  One of the more prominent techniques is a method that is known as HPLC, or high performance liquid chromatography.

Chromatography at a Glance

HPLC utilizes a technique called chromatography in order to measure the purity of a peptide.  In essence, this procedure functions to separate various components in a mixture.  While there are generally two ways in which chromatography can be primarily executed – gas chromatography and liquid chromatography – HPLC utilizes the latter technique in order to study a peptide’s purity.

The method in which this is carried out is part of two phases:

  • Mobile Phase – This is the phase in which a peptide sample is broken down via an appropriate solvent.
  • Stationary Phase – This is where the different components of a peptide are isolated and graphed based on their level of solubility as it passes over a stationary solid sorbent, such as silica or polymers.

The level of purity that is marked largely depends on how the peptide reacts as it passes through the stationary phase after it has been suitably prepared for such action coming out of the mobile phase.  A peptide that is 100% in its purity will essentially have one peak of consequence on the chart, along with other smaller peaks that are more or less non-affective regarding the peptide’s purity levels.  A peptide that ends up with a lower purity percentage are given such a metric because it presents a significant number of compounds or contaminates that are located within the research peptide.

PDF Download

Peptide Purity – Achieving Excellence In 2015

One of the most critical factors that must be scrutinized before undergoing scientific study on animal test subjects involves the determination of the purity of a peptide that has been designated for research.  In essence, the purity level of a peptide plays a vital role in determining the consistency of the results that may be tied to research that is derived from its usage.

Percentages at a Glance

The most important metric that can be spotted in determining the purity of a peptide can be drilled down to the percentage that is associated with a given substance.  This metric is a basic indicator as to how diluted or mixed a peptide designated for scientific study based on animal test subjects may be with other foreign materials or extraneous debris.  The higher the percentage that is indicated, the purer the peptide is determined to be.  A peptide that checks in at a 100% level of purity will be free from variable compounds or research chemicals, whereas a research peptide with a purity level of 60% will consist of 40% of foreign or extraneous materials.

Lower Percentages and Research Results

It has been determined that the closer that a research peptide is to a 100% level of purity, the more likely that it will perform in the manner that it is intended to perform, and therefore will provide research results that are more consistent in their nature.  Conversely, the lower a peptide’s purity level is, the greater the variables within the derived research data will be.  The reason for this is because the extraneous materials that can cause a disruption in the overall integrity of the peptide in its naturally occurring state.  Some of these impurities have been noted to include:

  • Incomplete de-protected sequences
  • Truncated or shortened peptide sequences
  • Removed peptide sequences
  • Other by-products of processes that pertain to protein synthesis

Because of this, it is determined that scientific studies that are being conducted on animal test subjects should make a concerted effort to acquire research peptides that are as close to being deemed as 100% in purity as possible.  If this is not an option, it is then strongly recommended that research peptides that are as close to perfect purity as possible are obtained.  Anything less could cause a disruption of the integrity of research data that may ultimately yield results whose accuracy may be plagued by their inconsistency.

How we have responded

When you are browsing our site you will find various reports on our products. We regularly have our peptides and chemicals tested by a third party, and make the tests available as they come in. Peptide purity is the backbone of our organization, we support the sciencitfic community by providing a product that will ensure accurate research.

Please contact us if you have questions about a specific peptide or bulk purchase for your organization.

PDF Version of this article – Click here