Biological Standards

Amino Acids

CIL offers a broad and diverse array of unlabeled and stable isotope-labeled amino acids. These include free and protected amino acids (for both canonical and noncanonical) as well as mixes and methyl labeling kits. The amino acids are available for different grade material (e.g., research, microbiological and pyrogen tested), with the labeling accessible for different isotopic enrichments and patterns. Applications are directed to proteomic (e.g., free amino acids for metabolic or chemical incorporation, protected amino acids or preloaded resins for solid phase peptide synthesis), metabolomic (e.g., free amino acids for quantitation), metabolism (e.g., free amino acids for isotopic flux analysis) or structural biology studies.

Caffeine and Metabolites

Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant of the central nervous system that is extensively consumed worldwide. MS-based research into the kinetics/metabolism of this compound and its metabolites (e.g., paraxanthine, theobromine, theophylline) has revealed insight into its health impact and abuse in humans. Studies further suggest an influence on pharmacological activity and neurodegeneration (e.g., Parkinson’s disease); thus, strengthening a need for its robust analyses. CIL offers stable isotope-labeled caffeine and a collection of isotopically labeled metabolites (e.g., methylxanthine, theobromine, paraxanthine) for basic and translational quantitative research. These research-grade materials are available in various labeling patterns and in their neat form.

Calibrant Gases

We are pleased to offer four CO₂ standards for use in ¹³C-urea breath analysis. These gas calibration standards are designed to mimic ¹³CO₂ levels in normal breath (baseline calibrant) and at three enriched levels (low-, mid-, and high-level calibrants). Each is gravimetrically prepared and analyzed for ¹³C content by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The ¹³C content is expressed as delta value vs. PDB (Pee Dee Belemnite), with the enriched calibrant gases further defined by their d¹³C DOB values.

Carnitine/Acylcarnitine Standards and Mixes

CIL offers a number of carnitine/acylcarnitine standards for MS/MS screening. These dried-down compounds are available as individual standards (e.g., L-carnitine, C0; O-glutaryl-L-carnitine, C5DC; O-hexacosanoyl-L-carnitine, C26), in their unlabeled and/or deuterium-labeled form. Select carnitine/acylcarnitine standards have been formulated into mixtures (labeled, NSK-B and NSK-B-G1; unlabeled, NSK-B-US and NSK-B-G1-US) and are supplied in 1 vial or 10 vial sets.

Please view our offerings and inquire if alternate standards or mixtures are required. Product details and usage recommendations are specified in our MS/MS Screening Standards catalog (above) with additional information provided on our MS/MS Standards application page.

Fatty Acids and Lipids

Fatty acids and lipids play essential structural/functional roles in many biological systems (e.g., energy storage, cell signaling). To aid their use as biological standards in metabolomic- and metabolism-focused studies, CIL offers a diverse library of stable isotope-labeled (and unlabeled) fatty acids and lipids. Examples of fatty acids include palmitic acid (16:0) and arachidonic acid (20:4), while lipids are N-palmitoyl-D-sphingosine (Cer d34:1) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC 32:0). The standards are available individually (as free acids, sodium or potassium salts, and methyl or ethyl esters) in their research and/or microbiological and pyrogen tested (MPT) grade form.

Steroids and Hormones

Steroid hormones play vital roles in the regulation of a number of physiological processes (e.g., water and electrolyte balance). This group of compounds is divided into five main categories: androgens (e.g., dihydrotestosterone, testosterone), glucocorticoids (e.g., androstenedione, deoxycortisol), mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone), estrogens (e.g., estradiol, estrone), and progestins (e.g., progesterone). Accurate quantification of steroid hormones is essential for basic and translational research and can be achieved by employing stable isotope labeled steroid standards into liquid chromatography (LC-) or gas chromatography (GC-) mass spectrometry methods.

CIL offers unlabeled and stable isotope-labeled steroidal hormones in their neat and/or solution forms. Please view the availability, pricing, and specifications of our steroid hormones and inquire if further information or alternate products/labels are required.

Vitamins

Vitamins are organic compounds that directly or indirectly participate in an organisms’ biochemical reactions. These are divided into two classes, based on their solubility in fat (includes A, D, E, and K) and water (includes B and C). CIL offers unlabeled and stable isotope-labeled vitamins as neat compounds and/or in solution at specified concentrations. These can be used in a range of applications, such as metabolism and pathophysiology explorations as well as disease biomarker evaluation. These standards are used to obtain accurate and precise quantification of endogenous metabolites in various matrices.

Other Standards

CIL offers a variety of other metabolites and mixes for use as standards in MS-based research applications. These are available in their unlabeled and/or stable isotope-labeled form as neat and/or solution materials.