Amino Acid Analysis Testing | HPLC Post-Column Derivatisation | NABL
Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited amino acid analysis for food, feed, dietary supplements, infant formula, sports nutrition, pharmaceutical proteins, and peptide hydrolysates. Our reference method is HPLC with post-column ninhydrin derivatisation after ion-exchange separation — the Moore and Stein procedure that remains the AOAC and pharmacopoeial gold standard for amino acid composition.
Reports include the full 20 proteinogenic amino acid profile with quantitation against pure standards, with optional reporting of PDCAAS / DIAAS protein quality scores against FAO reference patterns. Specialty panels cover non-protein amino acids (taurine, hydroxyproline, citrulline, ornithine, GABA) and free amino acids in beverages and clinical matrices.
Amino Acids Quantified
Essential (9)
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Conditionally Essential (6)
- Arginine
- Cysteine
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Proline
- Tyrosine
Non-Essential (5)
- Alanine
- Aspartate
- Asparagine
- Glutamate
- Serine
Specialty add-ons: taurine, hydroxyproline, citrulline, ornithine, GABA, beta-alanine, carnitine.
Methods Available
Each method is mapped to its analytical reference so QA and R&D teams can match scope to the AOAC / USP requirement at a glance.
Post-Column Ninhydrin HPLC
Ion-exchange HPLC with post-column ninhydrin derivatisation — AOAC 994.12, USP <1052> (the gold-standard reference method).
Pre-Column UV / Fluorescence
HPLC pre-column AccQ-Tag derivatisation with UV and fluorescence detection.
Pre-Column Fluorescence
HPLC pre-column OPA / FMOC derivatisation with fluorescence detection.
Free Amino Acids
LC-MS/MS for free amino acids and low-level quantitation in complex matrices.
Acid Hydrolysis
Acid hydrolysis (6 N HCl, 110 °C, 24 h, nitrogen atmosphere) for total composition.
Alkaline Hydrolysis
Alkaline hydrolysis (4.2 N NaOH) for tryptophan recovery.
Cys / Met Preparation
Performic acid oxidation prior to acid hydrolysis for cysteine and methionine.
Protein Quality Score
PDCAAS and DIAAS protein quality scoring against FAO reference patterns.
Sample Matrices Accepted
We test amino acid composition across the full range of food, feed, supplement, and pharma matrices below.
Applications
- Protein quality scoring — PDCAAS / DIAAS for sports nutrition and plant-protein brands
- FSSAI and Codex compliance for infant formula amino acid composition
- USFDA 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(i) — amino acid declaration on supplement labels
- Nutritional labelling — declaring individual amino acid content on product packaging
- Feed formulation — balancing essential amino acids in poultry, aqua, and livestock feed
- New product development and reformulation for plant-protein and meat alternatives
- Stability and shelf-life studies tracking amino acid degradation
- Pharmaceutical protein characterisation and lot-release testing
Who Needs This Testing
- Protein supplement and sports nutrition brands declaring individual amino acids (BCAAs, EAAs, single amino acids) on the label — required under USFDA 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(i) and the FSS Act 2006.
- Plant-based protein brands needing PDCAAS or DIAAS protein quality scores against the FAO reference pattern — the differentiator for soy, pea, mung bean, and blended plant proteins.
- Infant formula and follow-on formula manufacturers needing Codex CXS 72 and FSSAI Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations 2020 compliance for the full essential amino acid panel.
- D2C nutraceutical brands launching protein bars, shakes, and high-protein meal replacements on Amazon, Flipkart, and quick-commerce platforms where amino acid claims are part of the listing.
- Animal feed and aquafeed manufacturers balancing essential amino acid profiles for poultry, swine, dairy, and aquaculture nutrition.
- Pharmaceutical API and biopharmaceutical manufacturers needing protein and peptide characterisation, lot-release testing, and content-uniformity for amino-acid-based drug substances.
- Parenteral and enteral nutrition formulators verifying amino acid content in IV nutrition, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and clinical-medical food formulations.
- Functional beverage and free-amino-acid drink brands (BCAA drinks, electrolyte mixes, hydration formulas) verifying labelled amino acid declarations.
Why Auriga for Amino Acid Analysis
NABL-accredited HPLC post-column ninhydrin
Reference Moore and Stein ion-exchange method per AOAC 994.12 and USP <1052> — the pharmacopoeial gold standard for amino acid composition. The method regulators and international buyers explicitly request.
LC-MS/MS for complex matrices
LC-MS/MS for free amino acids and low-level quantitation in beverages, fermentation broths, clinical samples, and pharmaceutical proteins where matrix complexity defeats classical ion-exchange detection.
PDCAAS and DIAAS scoring in-house
Protein quality scoring against the FAO reference pattern run in-house alongside the amino acid profile — the single CoA that sports nutrition and plant-protein brands need to defend high-quality-protein claims on pack.
Complete hydrolysis chemistry under one roof
Standard 6 N HCl acid hydrolysis at 110 °C for 24 hours, alkaline hydrolysis (4.2 N NaOH) for tryptophan, and performic acid oxidation for cysteine and methionine — all three hydrolysis pathways validated and run in the same lab.
Reports accepted by FSSAI, USFDA, and international buyers
NABL-accredited CoAs map directly to USFDA 21 CFR 101.36, Codex CXS 72, FSSAI Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations 2020, APEDA dispatch documentation, and EIC export inspection.
Arbro Group analytical heritage
Established analytical heritage through the Arbro Group (Arbro Lab since 1990, Auriga Research since 2007), with NABL ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation — the audit trail FSSAI, USFDA, EIC, and international protein-product buyers look for in a compositional testing partner.
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share your product type and the parameters you need tested. Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the testing scope, the applicable method, and the exact sample quantity required for your specific panel before you dispatch anything.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.
Testing and QA Review
Your sample is tested against the confirmed validated method by Auriga's scientific team. Every result passes through a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and major international buyers. You can track your sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point in the process.
Turnaround Time
| Service | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Total amino acid composition (20 AAs with acid hydrolysis) | 10–12 business days | Available |
| Free amino acid panel (no hydrolysis) | 7–10 business days | Available |
| Tryptophan / sulphur AA add-ons (separate hydrolysis) | + 2–3 business days | On request |
| PDCAAS / DIAAS protein quality score | + 2–3 business days | On request |