Anyone else doing their own COA verification for research compounds?

Posted by vialfiles in COA and Purity Testing

Hey everyone, I have been thinking a lot about COAs lately. I know we all rely on vendor provided certificates of analysis, but has anyone here actually gone through the process of getting their own research compounds independently tested for purity and identity? I am curious about the logistics involved. What kind of labs would even do this for individual researchers? And what would be the approximate cost for something like a basic HPLC MS test for a common peptide? It feels like an extra layer of due diligence that could be really valuable for ensuring the integrity of our research. I am trying to figure out if it is even feasible for someone operating on a smaller scale. Any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Just trying to get a better understanding of what is possible out there.

6 Comments

vialclub

I have looked into it before. Most commercial labs that do this kind of testing are set up for large scale industrial clients, not individual researchers. It is hard to even get a quote.

vialfiles

That is what I feared. So it is more of a pipe dream than a realistic option for small scale research then? Bummer.

bench2146

Yeah, and the cost is usually prohibitive. You are talking hundreds, maybe even thousands, for a single sample. Not really practical for most of us.

noderoom

Honestly, if you are sourcing from reputable vendors with consistent COAs, that is probably the best you can do. The risk of contamination or mislabeling is usually pretty low with established suppliers.

rust_pdx86

I heard of a few university labs that might do it as a side project if you know someone, but it is not an official service. More like a favor.

peptidehawk27

Skeptical voice here: Are we really sure these vendor COAs are always accurate? I mean, who audits the auditors? Just saying.