Free amino acid profiles by AQC derivatization and HPLC for fermentation, bioprocess, food and academic laboratories. Published pricing, and every report includes the chromatogram and the quality-control data behind the numbers.
One analytical method, done carefully and priced on the page, plus custom HPLC method development for the questions it doesn't answer.
19 proteinogenic amino acids and ammonia in fermentation broth, spent media, culture supernatants, hydrolysates and beverages. Reported in µM and mg/L.
GABA, ornithine, citrulline, taurine and hydroxyproline added to the same run — the non-protein amino acids that matter in fermentation, supplements and food products.
Your analyte, your matrix, your question. We develop and qualify the separation on an Agilent 1100 with diode-array detection, document it, and run your samples or hand you a transferable method.
One method, applied to the matrices our clients send. Each application has its own page: what we measure, the questions it answers, the caveats, and the literature behind it.
Glutamine, ammonia, asparagine and essential amino acids in fresh, fed and spent media, for feed design and lot comparison.
Explore → ApplicationSpent-media amino acid profiles for cultivated-meat teams cutting media cost: depletion, recycling and hydrolysate comparisons.
Explore → ApplicationFree amino acid and ammonia profiles for fermentation broths and complex nitrogen sources, from yeast and fungi to E. coli.
Explore → ApplicationFree amino acid profiles for hydrolysates, peptones and yeast extracts: check lot consistency and compare suppliers on the free fraction.
Explore → ApplicationMeasured free taurine, GABA, glutamine, BCAAs and arginine in supplements, energy drinks and pet food, with the chromatogram behind each number.
Explore → ApplicationAmmonia and free amino acids in juice, must and wort: calculate YAN, see which nitrogen sources are low, compare worts beyond FAN.
Explore →Pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC), reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column, and UV detection at 260 nm.
The derivatives are stable for days, secondary amines such as proline are tagged along with everything else, and the reaction runs to completion in ten minutes at 55 °C. It is the chemistry behind the most widely used commercial amino acid analysis kits.
Standard panel (AA-1), 19 amino acids + ammonia: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine; ammonia.
Extended panel (AA-2): GABA, ornithine, citrulline, taurine, hydroxyproline.
On request: cysteine / cystine.
Tell us the matrix, the number of samples and the question. You'll receive a price and a sample sheet.
Send labeled samples with the completed sample sheet. We confirm receipt on arrival.
Samples are prepared, derivatized and analyzed by HPLC with an internal standard in every sample and a quality-control standard in every run.
PDF report with concentrations, the chromatogram and the QC summary. Raw data as CSV on request.
Typically 5 business days
Each report includes the results table, the chromatogram and the run's quality-control summary, so your methods section or process record has what it needs.
Per sample, USD. Published prices, volume tiers per order, minimum order $150.
| Code | Service | Includes | 1–9 | 10–49 | 50 + |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amino acid analysis | |||||
| AA-1 | Free amino acid profile | 19 amino acids + ammonia, µM and mg/LPDF report with chromatogram, calibration and QC summary | $125 | $99 | $79 |
| AA-2 | Extended panel | GABA, ornithine, citrulline, taurine, hydroxyprolinesame run, added to AA-1 | + $25 | + $25 | + $25 |
| AA-3 | Cysteine / cystine | reduction–alkylation workup | on request | ||
| RUSH | 48-hour rush | subject to capacity | + 100 % | ||
| Sample preparation | |||||
| PREP-1 | Solids and powders | weighing, extraction and filtration of hydrolysate powders, feed, plant material | + $30 | ||
| PREP-2 | New-matrix qualification | spike-recovery check the first time we see a matrix typewaived at 20 + samples | $200 once | ||
| Method development | |||||
| MD-0 | Feasibility call | 30 minutes on your analyte and matrix | free | ||
| MD-1 | HPLC method development | per project; columns and specialty consumables at cost | quote | ||
| MD-2 | Contract analysis on a developed method | per sample, set at project close | quote | ||
Published prices, so the number you see here is the number on the quote.
Requirements for free amino acids in liquid samples. For solids, powders or unusual matrices, contact us first.
Email the tracking number when you ship; we confirm receipt on arrival.
OpenChemWorks is an independent analytical laboratory in Davis, California, providing amino acid analysis by HPLC and custom HPLC method development to fermentation, bioprocess, food and academic clients.
Pricing is published, there is no minimum batch size, and every report includes the chromatogram and the quality-control data behind the numbers. Services are intended for research, development and process-monitoring use; the laboratory is not a GLP or GMP facility.
Liquid samples: fermentation broth, spent and defined media, culture supernatants, protein hydrolysates, wort, juice, beverages and aqueous extracts. Solids and powders are handled on request (PREP-1).
The standard panel reports 19 proteinogenic amino acids and ammonia. The extended panel adds GABA, ornithine, citrulline, taurine and hydroxyproline. Cysteine / cystine is available on request.
As a PDF report with concentrations in µM and mg/L, the chromatogram and the run's quality-control summary. Raw data is available as CSV on request.
No. One sample is a normal order; the minimum order value is $150. Volume pricing applies per order at 10 and 50 samples.
Yes. Sample descriptions, results and client details are shared only with the submitting client.
Often, yes — through custom HPLC method development (MD-1). Start with the free feasibility call and we'll tell you whether the analyte and matrix are a good fit.
Tell us what you're measuring. You'll receive a price and a sample sheet. If the method isn't the right one for your question, we'll say so.