Peptides – What Are They and Where Can I Buy Them
Unlike retinol, which is known to cause skin irritation and sensitivity, peptides are more well-tolerated. They can be used in leave-on products like serums and moisturisers.
best peptides uk are chains of amino acids that function as protein building blocks. Their structure is very flexible and contains a water molecule at the end of each peptide bond.
No7 Future Renew
If you’re looking to reverse signs of skin damage, Boots No7 have just launched what they claim is a ‘game-changing range’. After 15 years of research with the University of Manchester, No7’s new Future Renew range contains a world first super-peptide blend that they say harnesses your skin’s natural repair process.
Peptides are tiny protein fragments that send signals to skin cells to act on a particular task. They can boost collagen and elastin or stimulate the production of growth factors that encourage the cell to renew itself.
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum has been clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage including fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and dryness in just four weeks. The formula combines the new patent-pending peptide technology with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Mulberry Extract to help improve skin texture, tone and elasticity.
Peptide Synthesis
With peptides, there are a variety of different molecular and spectral properties that can affect their biological activity. This makes peptides difficult to produce naturally, which is why chemical synthesis opens up a lot of new possibilities.
The maturation of reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC; UNIT 11.6) has been a great boon for peptide processing. It allows peptides to be purified from the systematic low-level impurities that accumulate during synthesis and upon cleavage.
Successful solid-phase synthesis requires the right resin, an appropriate linker between the peptide and the solid support, appropriately protected amino acids, coupling methods and a protocol for cleaving the peptide from the resin (FIelds, 1997).
The protection groups used during peptide synthesis are based on benzyl, methyl or tertbutyl groups. These are removed by a deprotection procedure after each coupling so that the next amino acid can bind effortlessly to the nascent chain in the correct orientation. This enables longer peptides to be synthesized.
Custom Peptides
Custom peptides can be designed and synthesised according to the specific requirements of a researcher. They are available in milligram to multi-gram quantities and can be modified with a choice of labels, modifications and conjugations. All peptides are analysed by mass spectrometry before shipment.
The market for customized peptides is growing rapidly due to huge technological advancements. Earlier, peptides were produced by extracting natural sources such as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from porcine and bovine pituitaries or insulin from bovine and human pancreatic cells. Now, peptides are made synthetically using recombinant, hybrid, solid-phase and solution-phase synthesis (SPS) technologies.
The PolyPeptide Group has the capacity for commercial current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) peptides at facilities located across three continents. Their expertise can assist with pharmaceutical peptide development from initial research through to clinical trials and commercialisation. Their services can be tailored to meet the needs of an orphan drug with limited regulatory approval, a therapeutic with a demand for large quantities, or a peptide vaccine encountering specific challenges.
Peptide Research
Bioactive peptides have shown great potential in enhancing health-oriented functional foods. These peptides can improve food quality by acting as sweeteners, color stabilizers, thickeners, anti-caking agents, emulsifiers, and acidity control. They can also increase nutrient bioavailability and enhance the food aroma and taste.
Several studies have demonstrated the multifaceted effects of peptides, including blood pressure reduction, anti-microbial properties, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activities, and improved response to infection. They can also accelerate skin repair and regeneration.
Researchers have blazed the trail for peptide research, with the discovery that many naturally-occurring peptides can trigger pharmacological effects of proteins or organic compounds. The discovery could be one of the keys to unlocking longer life.