Understanding Certificates of Analysis

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document issued by an analytical laboratory confirming the identity, purity, and quality of a specific batch of compound. It serves as objective, third-party-verifiable evidence that the product meets defined specifications. Every Orion product ships with a batch-specific COA, ensuring full transparency about exactly what is in each vial.

Each COA contains several critical data points. Here is what to look for and what each field means:

HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) is the primary method used to determine compound purity. The technique works by separating the components of a sample as they pass through a chromatographic column, then measuring the relative abundance of each component.

The resulting chromatogram displays peaks corresponding to detected compounds. A single dominant peak at the expected retention time indicates high purity — meaning the vast majority of the sample is the target compound with minimal impurities. Minor peaks, if present, typically represent trace amounts of truncated sequences or synthesis byproducts.

Mass Spectrometry (MS) confirms molecular identity by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized molecules. This technique provides a precise measurement of the compound’s molecular weight, serving as an independent verification that the correct peptide sequence was synthesized.

On your COA, the observed mass should match the theoretical molecular weight of the target compound within instrument tolerance — typically ±0.5 Da (Daltons). A match within this range confirms that the compound in the vial is the intended molecule. Significant deviations would indicate synthesis errors such as deletion sequences, incorrect amino acid incorporation, or modification artifacts.

Every vial shipped by Orion carries a batch number that directly corresponds to its Certificate of Analysis. This one-to-one relationship enables full traceability from synthesis through purification, testing, packaging, and final delivery to your laboratory.

If you need a replacement COA — for example, if the original was misplaced or you need a digital copy for your records — contact our support team with your order number and the batch number printed on the vial label. We maintain complete records for all production batches and can reissue documentation promptly.

Quality assurance at Orion is built on multiple layers of verification to ensure every compound meets our standards before it reaches your lab:

• •All testing is performed on calibrated, routinely maintained analytical instruments
• •Third-party verification is available on request for additional assurance
• •Multiple QC checkpoints are built into the production pipeline: