How to read an HPLC chromatogram: an annotated sample

Last reviewed: 10 October 2026 · Sable Peptides research team

Research use only. Not a medicine. Not for human or veterinary use.

The short answer

A reversed-phase HPLC chromatogram plots detector response (usually UV absorbance at 214–220 nm for peptide bonds) against retention time. Each peak is something that eluted from the column. The purity figure on a certificate of analysis is the main peak's area as a percentage of all integrated peak areas. To read one, check the baseline, find the main peak, look for shoulders or tails that may hide co-eluting impurities, and compare the trace with the integration table.

SAMPLE DATA. The chromatogram and table below are fictional and were drawn for teaching. They do not describe any Sable Peptides lot or product. Lot-specific results are on the COA (available for every lot).

The sample trace

FCABDE

SAMPLE DATA: fictional chromatogram for teaching; not a real lot

ASCII fallback
 mAU (214 nm)
 900 |                         A
     |                        /|\
 600 |                       / | \
     |                      /  |  \
 300 |                     /   |   \_ B (shoulder)
     |      F             /    |     \
  50 |  ___/\_____ C ____/     |      \___ D ____ E _________
   0 +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----> min
     0    2    4    6    8   10   12   14   16   18   20

Research use only. Not for human consumption. No health claims.