Need an amino acid analysis in your products?
What is an amino acid ?
An amino acid is an organic molecule composed of an amine group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH) and a variable side chain (R) specific to each amino acid. They are linked together by peptide bonds to form proteins. Amino acids are present in a variety of manufactured products used in many industries for their beneficial properties.
Why analyse and measure amino acids ?
Amino acid analysis and dosing are crucial to guarantee the efficacy, safety and conformity of products in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and polymer sectors. These processes enable us to develop innovative products, ensure consumer satisfaction and meet regulatory requirements, while exploring sustainable and biocompatible solutions for various industrial and medical uses. A variety of technologies also make use of amino acids in the pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics industries.
For example, in the cosmetics industry, arginine is an amino acid traditionally used to adjust the pH of cosmetics and also as a hair conditioner.
Consequently, the support of a laboratory with state-of-the-art analytical equipment for the analysis and assay of amino acids such as aspartic acid, etc. is essential for the analysis of products from the pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics industries.
Hydroxyproline, an amino acid derived from proline, is a key marker of collagen presence and stability, particularly in formulations containing hyaluronic acid.
The determination of hydroxyproline in hyaluronic acid is essential for assessing the quality of products designed for tissue regeneration, wound healing and skin hydration. By accurately quantifying hydroxyproline, it is possible to ensure that hyaluronic acid-based products meet quality and efficacy standards, particularly in anti-aging treatments and dermal fillers.
Cysteine is an essential sulfur amino acid in the formation of keratin, a key protein for healthy hair and nails. Cysteine dosage in hair products is crucial in assessing their ability to strengthen and revitalize hair, particularly in treatments designed to repair damaged hair and prevent breakage.
By measuring cysteine concentration, it is possible to optimize the formulation of hair products to achieve visible results in terms of shine, strength and hair health.
Acid hydrolysis breaks down proteins and peptides into their constituent amino acids, releasing bound amino acids.
This makes it possible to measure not only the amino acids present in free form in a sample, but also those integrated into more complex structures. This approach is essential for obtaining a complete picture of amino acid composition, particularly in complex matrices such as foods, biologics or pharmaceutical formulations, where a precise understanding of total amino acid content is essential for assessing product quality, functionality and conformity.
FILAB supports you in the amino acid analysis of your samples
Why choose FILAB for your amino acid analysis ?
The FILAB laboratory has a wealth of experience in the determination of amino acids in the context of pharmaceutical, cosmetics or plastics industrialization… In fact, our teams offer tailor-made support to meet the specific needs of your business sector. The FILAB laboratory can help you with your amino acid analysis needs in the context of drug marketing or GMP-compliant product optimization.
Our technical resources for amino acid analysis
Our experts characterize protein concentration using liquid chromatography combined with derivatization. Derivatization grafts a function onto the molecule, making it identifiable.
Amino acid analysis can also be carried out using LC-MS techniques, i.e. liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry. In this case, derivatization is not required prior to chromatographic analysis.
The choice of technique for amino acid analysis ultimately depends on the type of matrix and the type of acids sought. In the case of a solid matrix, for example, it will also be necessary to extract the amines.
our amino acid analysis services
Amino acid determination in various matrices
Aminogram
Quantification of free and total amino acids
FILAB can help you with the analysis of the following amino acids :
Glycine
Serine
Valine
Cysteine
Leucine
Asparagine
Glutamine
Glutamic acid
Histidine
Ornithrine
Tyrosine
Cystine
Alanine
Proline
Threonine
Hydroxyproline
Isoleucine
Aspartic acid
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Arginine
Tryptophane
FAQ
Amino acid analysis is a chemical technique used to determine the amino acid composition of a protein or peptide. It quantifies the different amino acids present in a sample.
This analysis involves several key steps:
- Sample hydrolysis: the protein sample is broken down into its constituent amino acids. This is usually done using a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), at high temperature. This step is crucial because it releases the bound amino acids.
- Amino acid separation: the free amino acids are then separated from each other. The most common technique is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatography separates compounds based on their physicochemical properties, such as their affinity for a stationary phase.
- Detection and quantification: after separation, the amino acids are detected and measured. To make them visible, they are often reacted with a fluorescent reagent, such as orthophthaldialdehyde (OPA), which allows them to be identified and quantified precisely using a fluorescence detector or a spectrometer.
HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) is a separation technique that sorts amino acids.
LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) is a more advanced method. It combines HPLC separation with precise identification using a mass spectrometer. LC-MS is more sensitive, more precise, and can unambiguously identify amino acids. It is the gold standard for complex analysis.
Yes, most of the 20 standard amino acids can be analyzed, as well as other non-proteinogenic amino acids. However, some amino acids such as tryptophan and cysteine can be destroyed during acid hydrolysis and require specific procedures.
