AssayIndex
Chromatography

Wavelength, detection

The UV wavelength at which absorbance is measured. 214 nm sees the amide backbone; 280 nm sees only aromatic residues. Purity figures at the two are not comparable.

Related terms

Photodiode array (PDA)
A UV detector acquiring a full spectrum at every time point rather than one or two wavelengths. Enables peak-purity assessment and the 280/214 ratio.
see also Peak purity
Chromophore
The part of a molecule responsible for UV absorbance. In peptides: the amide bond below 230 nm, and Trp/Tyr near 280 nm.

Where this term appears

The glossary exists to make record pages readable without a chemistry degree. Every technical term on a report resolves here.