Reference
Research peptide glossary
The terms on a certificate of analysis, a product label and a laboratory order, explained in one place. Format, testing and documentation only.
- Bacteriostatic water
- Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth so a multi-use vial can be drawn from more than once over 28 days.
- Batch / lot
- A single production run. Every BluePeak vial carries its lot number so it can be matched to the certificate issued for that run.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- The laboratory report for one lot: the tests run, the methods, the results and the specification they were measured against.
- CAS number
- A unique registry number assigned to a chemical substance by the Chemical Abstracts Service. Two suppliers listing the same CAS number are describing the same compound.
- Endotoxin (LAL test)
- Bacterial cell-wall fragments measured with the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Reported in endotoxin units per milligram.
- HPLC
- High-performance liquid chromatography. Separates a sample into its components and quantifies how much of it is the named compound, expressed as a purity percentage.
- Identity (MS)
- Confirmation by mass spectrometry that the molecular weight of the sample matches the compound on the label.
- Lyophilised
- Freeze-dried. Water is removed under vacuum from a frozen solution, leaving a stable powder that ships and stores well.
- Molecular weight
- The mass of one molecule, in grams per mole. Used with mass spectrometry to confirm identity.
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Research peptides are synthesised, not extracted, and supplied for laboratory use.
- Purity
- The proportion of the sample that is the named compound, measured by HPLC. A specification of 99% means at least 99% of the material is the compound itself.
- Reconstitution
- Dissolving a lyophilised powder in a solvent, typically bacteriostatic water, to make a solution of known concentration.
- Research use only (RUO)
- A classification meaning the product is supplied for laboratory research and is not a medicine, a food, a cosmetic or for any use in humans or animals.
- Sequence
- The ordered list of amino acids that makes up a peptide. The sequence, not the name, defines the compound.
- Specification
- The acceptance criteria a lot must meet to be released: purity, identity, appearance, and where tested, endotoxin and water content.
- Third-party testing
- Analysis by an independent laboratory with no commercial stake in the result. BluePeak uses Janoshik Analytical.
- Vial
- A small sealed glass container. BluePeak vials are 2 ml borosilicate glass with a crimped cap and a lot-numbered label.
- Water content (Karl Fischer)
- Residual moisture in a lyophilised powder, measured by Karl Fischer titration. Lower is better for stability.
Research use only. Definitions describe laboratory documentation and handling. Nothing here is guidance for use.
