Understanding Your COA
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) provides documented laboratory results for a specific product batch. At Plum Labs Research, COAs allow researchers to review analytical testing performed on each tested batch and better understand key results such as purity, identity, net content, endotoxin, sterility, heavy metals, and conformity.
This page is designed to help researchers understand what each testing category means and how to interpret the information presented on a laboratory report.
Defining Purity
In research peptides, purity represents the concentration of target molecules relative to residues and by-products. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is the gold standard method used to verify this concentration by separating compounds for precise measurement. A purity level of 98% or higher is commonly recognized as a hallmark of high-quality research material, ensuring consistent and reliable findings in your investigation.
Identification & Accuracy
Purity is only one part of the equation. Equally important is confirming the identity of the compound itself. Identification testing, typically performed through Mass Spectrometry (MS), measures the molecular weight of a peptide and compares the observed result to its theoretical mass. When these values align, researchers can confidently verify that the compound matches its intended peptide sequence.
Understanding Endotoxin
Endotoxins are microbial byproducts that can linger even in high-purity laboratory peptides. For researchers, low endotoxin levels are vital because these impurities can cause unintended experimental reactions, potentially compromising the integrity of research data. On a Certificate of Analysis (COA), endotoxin results are measured in EU/mg, where “low” typically refers to levels below 0.1 EU/mg. Plum Labs adheres to these stringent thresholds to ensure a stable and reliable research environment for every project.
Understanding Sterility
Understanding Heavy Metals
Heavy metal testing evaluates the presence of elemental impurities such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which can be introduced through raw materials, manufacturing equipment, water sources, or environmental exposure during production. This analysis is commonly performed using advanced techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to detect trace amounts of these contaminants with high sensitivity. Results that fall within the laboratory’s established specification indicate that heavy metals were either not detected or measured at levels deemed acceptable according to the testing criteria. This additional layer of quality assessment helps support product consistency and demonstrates adherence to rigorous manufacturing and analytical standards.
The Ideal Numeric Metrics
Purity: >98%
High-grade research peptides should demonstrate purity levels at or above 98% via HPLC testing. This numeric threshold indicates a successful synthesis with minimal byproduct residues.
Identification: Match
Net Content: Within Specification
Endotoxin: <0.1 EU/mg
For peptides intended for high-precision research, an endotoxin count below 0.1 Endotoxin Units (EU) per milligram is typically preferred, indicating stringent sterile handling protocols.
Sterility: Pass
No microbial growth detected. A passing sterility result confirms the sample was tested for bacterial and fungal contamination and met established laboratory sterility standards, supporting a controlled and dependable research environment.
Heavy Metals: Pass
Testing confirmed that heavy metal levels were within established laboratory acceptance limits. This result demonstrates the sample met quality standards for elemental purity, helping ensure consistency and reliability for research applications.
Conformity: 3 Vials
Conformity testing helps evaluate consistency across individual vials within the same batch. Three separate vials are independently analyzed, producing three individual test results. Comparing these results helps identify potential variation among the sampled vials. The three results are then averaged to provide a representative mean for the samples tested.
Individual Test 1: Result obtained from the first vial analyzed.
Individual Test 2: Result obtained from the second vial analyzed.
Individual Test 3: Result obtained from the third vial analyzed.
Average: The calculated mean of all three individual test results.
Explore a COA
Understanding a Certificate of Analysis
Click each marker to learn what the test or report information means.
A
Product
Product identifies the compound or material submitted to the laboratory for testing.
Product: Adamax (1032)
This tells you what sample the laboratory report is associated with.
B
Form
Form describes the physical form of the sample that was submitted to the laboratory.
Form: Lyophilized Powder
Lyophilized means the sample was provided in a freeze-dried form.
C
Batch
Batch identifies the specific batch or lot associated with the sample submitted for testing.
Batch: PLR-AX-J101
The batch identifier helps connect the laboratory report to the corresponding batch of product.
D
Labeled Quantity
Labeled Quantity is the amount stated on the submitted sample's label.
Labeled Quantity: 10 mg
This is not the laboratory's measured Net Content result.
E
Cap Color
Cap Color records the color of the cap on the submitted sample.
Cap Color: Purple
F
Crimp Color
Crimp Color records the color of the vial's crimp or seal.
Crimp Color: Silver
1
Purity
Purity tells you how much of the detected material corresponds to the primary compound compared with other detectable components in the chromatographic analysis.
Reference Standard: >98%
Result: 99.659% ✓
Purity does not tell you how many milligrams are present. Net Content measures that separately.
2
Net Content
Net Content tells you how much compound was actually measured in the tested vial.
Labeled Quantity: 10 mg
Batch Average: 10.49 mg ✓
3
Identification
Identity testing checks whether the compound detected by the laboratory matches the compound the sample is expected to contain.
Method: LC-MS
Expected: Adamax (1032)
Result: Adamax (1032) ✓
4
Endotoxin
Endotoxin screening evaluates the sample against the laboratory's stated endotoxin specification.
Reference Standard: ≤0.5 EU/mL
Result: PASS ✓
5
Sterility
The microbial sterility screen looks for microbial growth under the laboratory's testing conditions.
Reference Standard: No Growth
Result: No Growth ✓
6
Heavy Metals
Heavy metal screening checks the sample for the metals listed in the laboratory report.
Arsenic: Negative ✓
Cadmium: Negative ✓
Lead: Negative ✓
Mercury: Negative ✓
7
Batch Conformity
Batch Conformity compares results from multiple sampled vials from the same batch.
Vial 1: 99.544% / 10.48 mg
Vial 2: 99.564% / 10.24 mg
Vial 3: 99.869% / 10.76 mg
Batch Average: 99.659% / 10.49 mg
G
What is a Chromatogram?
A chromatogram is the visual output produced during chromatographic analysis. The peaks represent components detected as the sample passes through the analytical system.
Method: RP-HPLC
Column: C18
Detection: DAD @ 214 nm
H
Access Code
The Access Code allows you to independently verify this Certificate of Analysis through Kovera Labs.
Access Code: PWQTVFJ
Understanding a Certificate of Analysis
Choose an item from the guide or tap a marker directly on the report.
COA Guide ⌄
Select a marker
Choose an item from the COA Guide above or tap a marker directly on the report.
Purity
Purity tells you how much of the detected material corresponds to the primary compound compared with other detectable components in the chromatographic analysis.
Reference Standard: >98%
Result: 99.659% ✓
Purity does not tell you how many milligrams are present. Net Content measures that separately.
Net Content
Net Content tells you how much compound was actually measured in the tested vial.
Labeled Quantity: 10 mg
Batch Average: 10.49 mg ✓
Identification
Identity testing checks whether the compound detected by the laboratory matches the compound the sample is expected to contain.
Method: LC-MS
Expected: Adamax (1032)
Result: Adamax (1032) ✓
Endotoxin
Endotoxin screening evaluates the sample against the laboratory's stated endotoxin specification.
Reference Standard: ≤0.5 EU/mL
Result: PASS ✓
Sterility
The microbial sterility screen looks for microbial growth under the laboratory's testing conditions.
Reference Standard: No Growth
Result: No Growth ✓
Heavy Metals
Heavy metal screening checks the sample for the metals listed in the laboratory report.
Arsenic: Negative ✓
Cadmium: Negative ✓
Lead: Negative ✓
Mercury: Negative ✓
Batch Conformity
Batch Conformity compares results from multiple sampled vials from the same batch.
Vial 1: 99.544% / 10.48 mg
Vial 2: 99.564% / 10.24 mg
Vial 3: 99.869% / 10.76 mg
Batch Average: 99.659% / 10.49 mg
Product
Product identifies the compound or material submitted to the laboratory for testing.
Product: Adamax (1032)
Form
Form describes the physical form of the sample that was submitted to the laboratory.
Form: Lyophilized Powder
Lyophilized means the sample was provided in a freeze-dried form.
Batch
Batch identifies the specific batch or lot associated with the submitted sample.
Batch: PLR-AX-J101
Labeled Quantity
Labeled Quantity is the amount stated on the submitted sample's label.
Labeled Quantity: 10 mg
This is different from the laboratory's measured Net Content result.
Cap Color
Cap Color records the color of the cap on the submitted sample.
Cap Color: Purple
Crimp Color
Crimp Color records the color of the vial's crimp or seal.
Crimp Color: Silver
Chromatogram
A chromatogram is the visual output produced during chromatographic analysis. Its peaks represent components detected as the sample passes through the analytical system.
Method: RP-HPLC
Column: C18
Detection: DAD @ 214 nm
Access Code
The Access Code allows you to independently verify this Certificate of Analysis through Kovera Labs.
Access Code: PWQTVFJ
Visit koveralabs.com/verify and enter the Access Code shown on the report.
Verify Your COA
Want to confirm your product’s lab results? You can verify your Certificate of Analysis using the batch number printed on your product or by referencing the lab report directly.
Use the links below to check results with the testing laboratory:
The Standards Behind the Research
At Plum Labs Research, every lot is accompanied by analytical documentation designed to support consistency, accuracy, and confidence throughout the research process. By understanding the data behind each Certificate of Analysis, researchers can better evaluate the standards that support their work.
All products are intended exclusively for laboratory research use.