Description
AHK-Cu (Alanyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine copper(II) complex) is a copper-binding tripeptide structurally related to the well-known GHK-Cu peptide, with alanine substituted for glycine at the N-terminus. AHK-Cu is associated with hair follicle and dermal papilla research in the cosmetic chemistry literature and is the active copper peptide featured in many high-end hair density serum formulations. Like GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu coordinates to a divalent copper ion (Cu²⁺) through the histidine imidazole and N-terminal amine, forming a stable peptide-copper complex with a characteristic deep blue color. This 1000mg presentation is supplied as a raw powder bulk material — the standard format for cosmetic formulation development and larger-scale research applications. AHK-Cu has been investigated in cosmetic chemistry literature for hair follicle dermal papilla research, copper coordination chemistry, and comparative SAR studies versus GHK-Cu. This material is supplied as high-purity research-grade raw AHK-Cu powder for laboratory, formulation, and research applications.
Bulk Material Applications
• Hair-focused cosmetic formulation development — raw powder bulk material for formulators developing copper peptide hair density serums and scalp treatments
• Extended research protocols — supports larger-scale or longer-duration research applications requiring substantial material quantities
• Multi-experiment research — single bulk batch supports multiple research workstreams
• Comparative GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu SAR research — sufficient material for direct comparative studies between the two copper tripeptides
• Reference standard applications — bulk reference material for analytical method development and validation
Research Focus Areas
• Hair follicle research — dermal papilla cell research and hair density-related cosmetic chemistry endpoints
• Copper coordination chemistry — investigated for Cu²⁺ binding properties and peptide-metal complex stability versus GHK-Cu
• Comparative copper peptide SAR — researched as the alanine-substituted analog of GHK-Cu for N-terminal residue SAR studies
• Dermal cell biology — fibroblast and dermal papilla cell research models
• Formulation compatibility research — bulk material for cosmetic formulation stability and pH research
What Researchers & Formulators Look At
• Hair follicle dermal papilla cell research endpoints in cosmetic chemistry research
• Copper binding affinity and peptide-Cu²⁺ complex stability characterization versus GHK-Cu
• Comparative pharmacology versus GHK-Cu (glycine N-terminus) — investigating the effect of N-terminal alanine substitution
• Cosmetic formulation compatibility, stability, and pH sensitivity research
• Combined AHK-Cu + GHK-Cu formulation research for synergistic copper peptide systems
Quick Specs
• Form: Raw AHK-Cu powder (blue-violet crystalline / amorphous powder)
• Net Content: 1000 mg (1 gram) per container
• Quantity: 1 container
• Appearance: Deep blue to blue-violet powder (color confirms copper coordination)
• Solubility: Water-soluble; formulators typically reconstitute in deionized or aqueous solvent for cosmetic preparation
• Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
• Identity: MS-verified (per COA)
• Storage: Protect from light
Identity Basics
• Compound: AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine copper(II) complex)
• Synonyms: Copper tripeptide-3; AHK copper; Ala-His-Lys-Cu²⁺; AHK Cu complex
• Class: Synthetic copper-binding tripeptide; copper coordination complex; hair-focused cosmetic and research-grade copper peptide raw material
• Sequence: Ala-His-Lys coordinated to Cu²⁺
• Relationship to GHK-Cu: Alanine-substituted N-terminal analog of GHK-Cu (glycine → alanine substitution at position 1)
• Formula: C15H26CuN6O4
• Molecular Weight: ~417.95 g/mol (copper-coordinated complex form)
• CAS: Verify against supplier COA (CAS varies by source — AHK peptide free form differs from AHK-Cu complex form)
⚠️ Disclaimer
- This product is intended for laboratory research and cosmetic formulation development use only.
- Not for human or veterinary injection.
- Raw powder material — not supplied in sterile packaging; appropriate for cosmetic formulation use and laboratory research applications.
- Handle using appropriate laboratory safety procedures and personal protective equipment.
COA Verification Notice: Even if the container label states a certain concentration, always go by the COA for the true verified value. We reference the COA to determine the verified concentration and purity of each batch, regardless of what the label indicates.
Janoshik COA — Third-Party Testing
