Introduction of AHK-Cu

AHK-Cu, chemically known as Alanine-Histidine-Lysine Copper, is a stable chelate compound formed by the tripeptide composed of Alanine (Ala), Histidine (His), Lysine (Lys) and divalent copper ions (Cu²⁺). As a high-performance biochemical raw material with excellent biocompatibility and biological activity, it is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical intermediates, biological tissue repair, and other high-end chemical fields. It is highly recognized in the global market for its unique efficacy and stable performance, and has become a core raw material for enterprises to upgrade their products.

I. Core Basic Information (Chemical Grade Standard)

Item	Specification Parameters	Remarks
Chinese Name	Alanine-Histidine-Lysine Copper, AHK-Cu	Common chemical names, unified industry designation
English Name	AHK-Cu, Alanine-Histidine-Lysine Copper Chelate	Standard industrial nomenclature, easy to identify globally
CAS No.	13012-73-2/682809-81-0	Unique identification number for chemical raw materials, compliant with international standards
Molecular Formula/Molecular Weight	C₁₅H₂₅CuN₇O₄ / 420.95	Accurate chemical structure parameters, ensuring product stability
Appearance	Light blue to blue crystalline powder, odorless, free of visible impurities	Uniform particle size, easy to dissolve and process
Purity Standard	≥98% (HPLC detection), 99% high purity customizable	Strict batch-to-batch quality control, in line with chemical grade raw material standards
Solubility	Easily soluble in water, normal saline and buffer solution, soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), slightly soluble in ethanol, insoluble in ether	Optimal solubility at pH 5.0-7.5, compatible with most formula systems
Isoelectric Point	7.5 (predicted value)	Suitable for neutral to weakly alkaline formulas, wide application range
Heavy Metal Content	≤10ppm	Compliant with international chemical raw material safety standards, non-toxic and non-irritating

II. Chemical Structure and Core Characteristics

1.Chemical Structure

The core structure of AHK-Cu is a stable five-membered chelate ring formed by the tripeptide AHK (Alanine-Histidine-Lysine) and divalent copper ions. The imidazole ring of histidine and the amino group of lysine form firm coordination bonds with copper ions, which not only effectively maintain the biological activity of copper ions and prevent oxidative damage caused by their dissociation, but also enhance the molecular skin penetration and biocompatibility, making it able to stably exert its efficacy in various application systems. Similar to GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu is a copper-binding peptide with strong tissue repair potential, and its unique amino acid sequence endows it with more excellent stability and efficacy persistence.

2.Core Chemical Characteristics

• Superior Stability: It has excellent stability in the pH range of 4.5-8.0, and is not easy to degrade or decompose. It can avoid copper ion dissociation without mixing with strong acidic components, and is suitable for various chemical formula systems, which is better than traditional copper peptide derivatives.
• Excellent Biocompatibility: It is naturally compatible with human body, non-irritating, non-toxic, and has strong affinity with human cells. It can be widely used in chemical products that come into contact with human skin and tissues, similar to the biocompatibility of endogenous peptides in human plasma.
• Long-acting Activity: In powder form, it can maintain stable biological activity for a long time when sealed and stored. In solution form, it can still maintain good efficacy after reasonable preservation and treatment, which is convenient for storage, transportation and subsequent processing and application.
• Strong Compatibility: It can synergize with hyaluronic acid, ceramide, vitamins, amino acids and other common chemical raw materials, without antagonistic reaction, and can effectively enhance the overall efficacy of the formula, realizing multi-target synergy similar to advanced peptide raw materials.

III. Mechanism of Action and Application Fields

1.Core Mechanism of Action

As a high-efficiency biological regulator, AHK-Cu exerts its effects through multiple pathways: first, it efficiently activates fibroblasts, promotes the synthesis of type I, type III collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, regulates the balance between matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, and promotes skin and tissue remodeling, which is consistent with the tissue repair mechanism of copper-binding peptides; second, it scavenges free radicals, activates the activity of superoxide dismutase, reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and exerts significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which can protect cells from oxidative damage; third, it acts as a chemokine to attract immune cells and endothelial cells, promote angiogenesis, accelerate the repair of damaged tissues, and reduce scar formation; fourth, it can regulate the microenvironment of skin and scalp, stimulate the proliferation of related stem cells, and assist in improving skin and hair health.

2.Main Application Fields (Chemical Grade Uses)

• Cosmetic Raw Materials: As a high-end active ingredient, it is widely used in anti-aging creams, repair serums, masks, eye creams and other products. The recommended addition amount is 0.05%-0.5%. It can effectively achieve anti-wrinkle, firming, repairing, brightening and other effects. It is mild and non-irritating, suitable for sensitive skin formulas, and its efficacy persistence is better than traditional active peptides.
• Pharmaceutical Intermediates: It is used in the synthesis of tissue repair drugs, which can accelerate the healing of chronic wounds, burns, postoperative wounds, reduce scar formation, and can also be used as an auxiliary for the repair of skin damage after radiotherapy, playing an important role in clinical tissue repair.
• Hair Care Raw Materials: It is used in hair growth and care products, which can stimulate hair follicle regeneration, increase hair density, improve hair toughness, and assist in improving androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, providing a new solution for hair care product upgrading.
• Biological Repair Materials: It is used in chemical products related to skin tissue engineering, assists in the regeneration of skin epithelial tissue, repairs damaged skin barrier, and is suitable for post-medical beauty repair, medical skin care and other scenarios, which is in line with the development trend of biological repair materials.

IV. Product Advantages 

• Strict Purity Control: Adopting advanced peptide synthesis technology and strict chemical raw material production standards, each batch of products is tested by HPLC, with purity ≥98%, no harmful impurities, small batch-to-batch difference, and stable product efficacy, which is comparable to international high-end standards.
• Customized Services: According to customer needs, we can provide products with different purities (98%-99%) and different packaging specifications (5g/bag, 10g/bag, 1kg/bottle, 5kg/cardboard drum), which are suitable for production needs in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biological repair and other fields, and can meet personalized customization requirements.
• Stable Supply Chain: We have our own large-scale production base, which can realize large-scale and standardized production, ensure spot supply, stabilize the supply chain for a long time, shorten the customer’s production cycle, and reduce the procurement cost.
• Compliance Guarantee: The product meets international chemical raw material safety standards and relevant industry norms, provides complete test reports, qualification certificates and other documents, is legal and compliant, and can effectively avoid patent risks (not for sale to countries and regions with patent protection).
• Professional Technical Support: A professional technical team provides full-process technical guidance, including product dissolution, formula compatibility, storage conditions, application precautions, etc., to assist customers in solving technical problems in the production process and improve product application efficiency.

V. Storage and Usage Instructions

1.Storage Conditions

• Powder Form: Store sealed, protected from light and dry at 2-8℃, with a shelf life of 24 months; storage at -20℃ can be extended to 36 months. It is recommended to store under the protection of inert gas (nitrogen or argon) to avoid oxidation and ensure the stability of product activity, which is consistent with the storage requirements of high-purity peptide raw materials.
• Solution Form: It can be stably stored at 4℃ for 7 days, and can be stored at -20℃ in aliquots for 3 months. Use it as soon as possible after opening to avoid secondary pollution and ensure the efficacy of the product.

2.Usage Notes

• Dissolution Method: Dissolve directly with sterile water for injection, normal saline or PBS buffer (pH 5.0-7.5). In cosmetic formulas, it is recommended to add it in the final stage (≤45℃) to avoid high temperature damaging the chelate structure and affecting product activity.
• Compatibility Taboos: Avoid mixing with strong acidic components and strong oxidants to prevent copper ion dissociation, which will affect the stability and efficacy of the product. It can be used in combination with most common cosmetic and pharmaceutical raw materials.
• Safety Tips: As a chemical raw material, wear gloves and masks during operation, avoid direct contact with skin and mucous membranes. If contact occurs accidentally, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. It is forbidden to use it for non-industrial purposes.

VI. Qualification and Testing

All our AHK-Cu products have passed strict quality testing, and we can provide a full set of qualification documents such as HPLC purity test report, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) identification report, and heavy metal test report. The product quality meets the relevant industry standards for cosmetic raw materials, pharmaceutical intermediates and biological repair materials, and the quality is controllable and traceable, complying with international chemical raw material testing norms.

With professional production technology, strict quality control and perfect after-sales service, we provide high-quality AHK-Cu chemical raw materials for global customers, helping customers achieve product upgrading and innovation in the high-end chemical field. Welcome to call for consultation and request samples!