Amino Acid Analysis

Sample Preparation Guidelines

Amino Acid Analysis requires sufficient sample amounts to obtain good data. The protein should be pure without contaminating proteins.

It is important that samples are prepared in a clean environment.

Sample Preparation

Samples can be submitted in liquid form or solid lyophilized form.

1. Sample Purity

1. Most samples that contain proteins, peptides and free amino acids can be analyzed.
2. Avoid high salt concentrations
3. Avoid samples that contain primary amines, i.e. tris, glycine, as these will obscure the amino acid analysis
4. Avoid fingerprints and dust in the sample, these contain large amounts of human proteins that will obscure the results
   
   

2. Sample Amount

   1. Pipette 2-6 µg of liquid material into a 500 µl Eppendorf tube and lyophilize/speed vac it.
   2. Alternatively provide 50-100 microliters (or more) of liquid material at concentration approximately 0.1 microgram per microliter.
   3. Alternatively provide sufficient amounts of solid material for accurate weighing of samples at Alphalyse (mg material)
      
      

3. Put the sample into the microcentrifuge tube

1. Use the Eppendorf Safe Lock tube supplied with the kit or a similar tube from your lab
2. Lyophilize or speed vac the protein to ensure protein stability during shipment
3. Alternatively, refrigerate to +4°C for cold shipment of the liquid sample
   
   

4. State purpose of analysis on Sample Submission Form

1. Protein Quantitation – for highest precision email us the protein sequence or expected aa composition, or
2. Amino acid composition, or
3. Purpose is both protein quantitation and individual amino acid composition

Sample Shipment

The sample is now ready for submission

1. Fill out the Online Sample Submission Form in 5 easy steps. Make sure to include one copy of the final form with the samples.
2. Ship the samples using a Courier company. We have included an Air Waybill in the PICK ‘n POST kit to be used for secure shipment with FedEx/DHL using the Alphalyse account. 

Alternatively, you can use a courier company of your choice.

Ship to: