NMN Purity Testing: How to Read an NMN Certificate of Analysis
Why purity is the question people ask first
NMN powder is white and crystalline. So is a great deal of else. Nothing about the appearance, the capsule, the label or the price tells a buyer what is in the bottle, which is why purity documentation became the way this category is compared at all.
It is also why comparison shopping in NMN so often means looking up one brand's certificate against another's. That is a reasonable thing to do, and this page is written to make it easier rather than harder.
The five things a COA should tell you
| What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A batch or lot number | A certificate describes one production run. If it names no batch, it cannot be matched to the bottle in your hand. |
| The test method | For NMN purity this is normally HPLC or HPLC-UV. A percentage with no stated method is an assertion, not a measurement. |
| The laboratory | An independent, ideally ISO 17025 accredited lab. In-house numbers are not third-party testing. |
| A heavy metals panel | Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, normally by ICP-MS, with results against a stated limit. |
| A date | Certificates age. A document from several years ago says nothing about current production. |
Raw material and finished product are two different tests
This distinction causes more confusion than any other, and it is worth understanding before comparing brands.
A raw material COA tests the NMN powder before it becomes a capsule. This is where a high purity figure such as 99% or 100% by HPLC-UV comes from, because the sample is essentially just NMN.
A finished product COA tests the capsule as sold. Capsules necessarily contain more than the active ingredient, since flow agents are required for encapsulation. A finished-product certificate therefore verifies identity, potency against the label claim, and microbial safety, rather than restating a raw powder purity percentage.
A comparison trap worth knowing
Because those two documents report different things, a brand publishing only a raw material COA can appear to have a higher number than a brand publishing a finished product COA, without either being dishonest. When you compare certificates across brands, check which of the two you are reading first. We publish both.
How we test
Every batch is tested before release, not one batch for a marketing seal. Testing is carried out by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories and covers identity, potency, purity and heavy metals. Batches that fail are rejected and destroyed. The resulting certificates are published openly, with previous batches left online rather than replaced, so the record can be read over time.
Read the actual documents
Current raw material and finished product certificates for Advanced NMN 1000 are published in full, alongside previous batches.
NMN Certificates of Analysis | Advanced NMN 1000 | What is NMN?
Common questions
What purity should NMN be?
Raw material assays for quality NMN are typically reported at 98% or above by HPLC. What matters as much as the number is that the figure is tied to a named batch, method and laboratory.
Can I ask a brand for the COA of my bottle?
Yes, and a brand unwilling to provide one for a named batch has answered your question. Ours are published without needing to ask.
Does a certification seal replace a COA?
No. A seal generally reflects one batch of one product at one point in time. A per-batch certificate is the document that corresponds to what you bought.
This page is educational and describes laboratory documentation practice. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
