Documentation
How to read a certificate of analysis (COA)
Read every field on a peptide COA with confidence — identity, HPLC purity, mass confirmation, and lot traceability — and verify the material in your hand against the exact lot it documents.
A certificate of analysis (COA) can provide evidence behind a material-specific purity claim. When lot documentation is available, reading it fluently helps you compare the reported identity, purity, and lot with the label on the material received.
Identity and mass confirmation
The top of a COA identifies the compound by name and often its molecular formula and theoretical mass. A mass-spectrometry result consistent with the expected mass supports the document's identity assignment; it should be reviewed separately from the purity result.
Purity by HPLC
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separates the peptide from related impurities and reports purity as a percentage of the total peak area. A 99%+ HPLC result means the main peak accounts for at least 99% of what was detected. Look for a clean chromatogram with a dominant single peak rather than several large peaks of similar size.
Lot number and traceability
- Lot or batch number — ties the document to a specific production run.
- Test date and testing lab — who ran the analysis and when.
- Appearance and net content — physical description and stated quantity.
- Storage recommendation — handling conditions for that material.
What to check every time
Confirm the compound name and lot on the COA match the vial and your order. Confirm the purity figure meets your threshold. Confirm the mass result is consistent with the expected value. If any field is missing or inconsistent, contact the supplier before proceeding.
This resource is for qualified laboratory handling and reference only. Bio Pointe materials are not for use in or on humans or animals. Do not inject, ingest, inhale, apply, or otherwise administer them. Nothing here is dosing, administration, diagnostic, treatment, prevention, or veterinary guidance.
Sources and technical context
- ICH Q2(R2): Validation of Analytical Procedures — International Council for Harmonisation
- Standard Reference Material definitions — National Institute of Standards and Technology
These references provide general analytical and certificate terminology. They do not imply that Bio Pointe materials are certified reference materials or manufactured under an ICH standard.