Glossary
Key terms for understanding research peptide brands, explained in plain language.
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds — essentially a small protein. Peptides act as signaling molecules in biological systems.
- Amino acid
- The building blocks of peptides and proteins. The sequence of amino acids determines a peptide's structure and function.
- Lyophilized
- Freeze-dried into a stable powder. Most research peptides ship lyophilized and are reconstituted before use in research.
- Reconstitution
- The process of dissolving a lyophilized peptide in a solvent (commonly bacteriostatic water) to prepare a solution.
- Bacteriostatic water
- Sterile water containing a small amount of benzyl alcohol that inhibits bacterial growth, commonly used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- A document from an independent lab reporting a specific batch's purity and identity. The single most important trust signal from a supplier.
- HPLC
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography — the standard analytical method for measuring peptide purity, usually reported as a percentage.
- Mass spectrometry (MS)
- An analytical technique used to confirm a peptide's molecular identity and weight, complementing HPLC purity testing.
- Purity
- The percentage of a sample that is the intended peptide, with the remainder being synthesis byproducts or impurities. Research-grade is typically ≥99%.
- Peptide blend / stack
- A single product combining two or more peptides chosen for complementary research applications, e.g. a BPC-157 + TB-500 blend.
- Research use only (RUO)
- A designation indicating a product is intended solely for laboratory research and not for human or veterinary use.