Laboratory Methods & Terminology
Reference notes on how peptide material is characterised, documented and stored — the terms that appear on a certificate of analysis and in catalog specifications, explained.
Lyophilization (Freeze-drying)
A drying process in which frozen water is removed by sublimation under vacuum, leaving a dry amorphous solid.
HPLC Purity (RP-HPLC, Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography)
The chromatographic purity of a peptide, reported as the area of the main peak as a percentage of total peak area.
Mass Spectrometry Identity Confirmation (ESI-MS, MALDI-TOF MS)
Confirmation that the molecular mass of a preparation matches the mass calculated from the intended sequence.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
The batch-specific document recording the analytical measurements obtained for one production lot.
Peptide Stability and Degradation (Degradation pathways)
The chemical and physical routes by which peptides change over time, and the storage conditions that slow them.
Laboratory Solvents for Peptides (Solubility, Reconstitution solvents)
The solvents commonly used to bring lyophilized peptides into solution in laboratory work, and their properties.
Net Peptide Content (Peptide content, TFA salt content)
The proportion of a vial's gross mass that is peptide, as distinct from counterions, residual water and bulking agents.
Amino Acid Sequence Notation (One-letter code, Three-letter code)
The conventions used to write peptide sequences, including terminal modifications and non-standard residues.