What is HPLC?
HPLC, short for high performance liquid chromatography, is a laboratory technique that separates the individual compounds in a sample so each one can be identified and measured. It pushes a liquid sample through a column that pulls compounds apart based on how they interact with the material inside.
It is one of several tools used to check what is actually in a product, and it works differently from methods aimed at metals or microbes. Where ICP-MS measures trace metals, HPLC is suited to active compounds and plant constituents, which is why it appears on a certificate of analysis and underpins claims about a standardised extract. It confirms both identity and quantity.
It matters to anyone who wants proof that a label matches the contents, and it is central to a third-party tested supplement. The catch is that HPLC only measures what it is set up to look for, so a test is only as good as the method and reference standards behind it. A result also reflects one sample at one moment, not every batch automatically.
To see the checks behind our products, our testing page explains how potency is verified.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from ICP-MS?
HPLC separates and measures organic compounds such as active ingredients and plant markers. ICP-MS instead detects trace metals, so the two methods answer different questions about a product.
Who uses it, or when is it the right choice?
Manufacturers and testing labs use HPLC to confirm the identity and amount of an active ingredient. It is the right choice when you need to verify potency or check for the correct compound.
When is it the WRONG choice?
HPLC is the wrong tool for measuring heavy metals or microbial contamination, which need different methods. It also cannot tell you about anything it was not calibrated to detect.