Quality assurance
How to assess peptide quality documentation
Research peptide documentation should make it possible to trace a supplied batch back to the analytical record. The three documents most commonly used for that review are an HPLC chromatogram, a mass-spectrometry result, and a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA).
HPLC purity profile
High-performance liquid chromatography separates components in a sample. A chromatogram records those components as peaks, while the reported purity result describes the proportion attributed to the target material under that test method.
Mass spectrometry identity check
Mass spectrometry measures mass-to-charge signals. For peptide documentation, it is used alongside the expected molecular mass to support an identity check; it is not a substitute for a purity measurement.
Batch-specific COA
A useful Certificate of Analysis identifies the specific batch it covers, records the test results and dates, and can be matched to the batch code on the supplied documentation and vial label.
What to check on a COA
Start with the compound name and batch identifier. Those details should correspond to the product documentation and the vial label. Then review the stated analytical method, result, test date, and the laboratory or analyst information provided with the report.
Purity and identity answer different questions. HPLC is commonly used to quantify the relative purity of a sample under the reported method, while mass spectrometry supports confirmation that the observed molecular mass aligns with the expected peptide. Reading both together gives a more complete record than relying on a percentage alone.
Documentation should also be current to the batch supplied. A generic image, an undated result, or a report that cannot be connected to a batch code does not provide the same traceability as a batch-specific record. For a broader explanation of chromatograms and purity reporting, see our HPLC purity standards guide.
View current batch records
Pillar Research publishes product-linked COAs so researchers can review the available batch documentation before or after an order. Every product remains for in vitro laboratory research only and is not intended for human or animal consumption.