What Is HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)?
Category: Quality
The gold standard analytical method for measuring peptide purity. Separates components of a sample to determine what percentage is the desired peptide vs. impurities. Look for 98%+ purity.
Detailed Explanation
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is an analytical chemistry technique used to separate, identify, and quantify components in a mixture. For peptides, HPLC is the gold standard for measuring purity - it determines what percentage of a sample is the desired peptide versus impurities such as truncated sequences, deletion peptides, or other synthesis byproducts. The result is expressed as a percentage, with higher numbers indicating greater purity.
Practical Context
When reviewing a Certificate of Analysis, HPLC purity is one of the most important numbers to check. Research-grade peptides should have 98%+ purity, with some critical applications requiring 99%+. A purity below 95% may indicate poor manufacturing practices or degradation. HPLC is often paired with mass spectrometry to provide both purity confirmation and identity verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What purity level should I look for?
For research purposes, 98%+ HPLC purity is considered good quality. Below 95% may indicate quality issues. Some specialized applications may require 99%+ purity.
Can HPLC tell me if a peptide is real?
HPLC measures purity but not identity. Mass spectrometry (MS) is needed to confirm that the peptide is actually the correct compound. A quality COA should include both HPLC and MS results.
Related Terms
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) - A document from a testing laboratory confirming the purity, identity, and quality of a peptide product. Reputable vendors provide COAs for each batch, ideally from third-party labs.
- Mass Spectrometry (MS) - An analytical technique that identifies compounds by their molecular weight. Used alongside HPLC to confirm that a peptide is actually what the label claims.
- Endotoxin - A toxic substance released from bacterial cell walls. Endotoxin contamination in peptide products can cause fever, inflammation, and serious adverse reactions. Quality testing should check for endotoxin levels.