Source comparison
How to Read Thymosin Alpha-1 COA: Test Method Comparison
HPLC Purity Separation of thymosin alpha-1 from degradation products and synthesis byproducts ≥98% area percentage with single sharp peak at expected retention time Multiple peaks = incomplete synthesis or degradation; broad peak = structural heterogeneity HPL
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- HPLC Purity
- Separation of thymosin alpha-1 from degradation products and synthesis byproducts
- ≥98% area percentage with single sharp peak at expected retention time
- Multiple peaks = incomplete synthesis or degradation; broad peak = structural heterogeneity
- HPLC confirms structural integrity but doesn't quantify absolute peptide mass
- Peptide Content (AAA)
- Mass percentage of active peptide after subtracting salts, solvents, and water
- 85–95% w/w for lyophilized acetate salt form
- <80% = excessive salt content; <70% = possible adulteration or synthesis failure
- Peptide content determines dose accuracy. HPLC purity alone overestimates active compound
- Mass Spectrometry
- Molecular weight confirmation of amino acid sequence
- 3108.3 ±0.5 Da for thymosin alpha-1 acetate
- Deviation >1 Da = amino acid substitution or deletion in sequence
- MS is the only method that directly verifies molecular identity. HPLC and AAA confirm purity but not structure
- Endotoxin (LAL)
- Bacterial lipopolysaccharide contamination from production or handling
- ≤5 EU/mg (research-grade) or ≤0.5 EU/mg (sterile-grade)
- >5 EU/mg = contamination risk in cell culture or animal models; >10 EU/mg = unacceptable for any biological application
- Endotoxin triggers immune responses that confound experimental results. Peptide can be 99% pure but biologically unusable if endotoxin exceeds threshold
- Acetate Content
- Percentage of sample mass contributed by acetate counterion
- 10–18% w/w typical for acetate salt form
- >20% = incomplete lyophilization or over-acetylation; <5% = possible TFA salt instead of acetate
- Acetate content explains the gap between HPLC purity and peptide content. High acetate reduces effective dose per mg