Amino acids in a chain
Amino acids are small molecules with an amino group at one end and an acid group at the other. When the acid group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of the next, they join with a peptide bond and release a molecule of water.
Repeat that and you get a chain. The order of the amino acids in the chain is the peptide's sequence, and it is written with one- or three-letter codes, for example GEPPPGKPADDAGLV.
Peptide or protein?
There is no hard cut-off, but chains up to about 50 amino acids are usually called peptides. Longer chains that fold into a fixed 3D shape are called proteins.
Your body makes many peptides itself. Insulin, at 51 amino acids, sits right on the boundary and is often called a peptide hormone.
How peptides are made in a lab
Most synthetic peptides are made by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The chain is built one amino acid at a time while anchored to tiny resin beads, then cut free and purified. The method earned Bruce Merrifield the 1984 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
After synthesis the peptide is usually purified by HPLC, checked by mass spectrometry, and freeze-dried into a powder.
Where "research peptides" fit
Some peptides are licensed medicines, prescribed and made to pharmaceutical standards. "Research peptides" are sold for laboratory research only. They are not approved medicines and are not for human or animal consumption.
Educational information only. Nothing here is medical advice, dosing guidance or a recommendation to use any substance. Research peptides are not approved medicines and are not for human or animal consumption. Speak to a qualified professional and follow the law where you are.
