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Dioylphosphatidylcholine, or DOPC, holds a story rooted in the rapid rise of lipid chemistry throughout the 20th century. Its discovery can be traced back to the curiosity-driven investigations in the 1950s, as biochemists dove headfirst into the composition of cell membranes. Researchers quickly realized that natural lecithins, extracted from soy and egg yolk, carried a unique diacyl structure. The road to purified, synthetic DOPC started with labor-intensive extraction and moved toward advanced chemical synthesis, as demands from pharmaceutical and biotech fields soared. Early on, labs produced it in milligram quantities, testing boundaries of what could be achieved with chromatography and solvent extraction. By the late 80s, as liposome-based drug carriers gained trust, DOPC production stepped up to industrial levels, paving the way for its current role as a foundation for clinical formulations and research innovation. This backdrop underscores the tight link between DOPC’s journey and the evolution of lipid-based drug delivery.
DOPC, a phosphatidylcholine composed of two oleoyl chains, stands out for its versatility and proven track record. It appears as a white to off-white powder or waxy solid, sometimes forming large flakes. I have handled dozens of batches and recall its faint earthy aroma, easy wettability, and the mild greasy sensation on the gloves—a classic sign of pure phospholipids. Certified BP, EP, and USP pharma grade DOPC adheres to a level of strictness that ensures impurities stay well below the threshold, limiting peroxides and lysoderivatives that could threaten stability or introduce toxicity. Unlike cruder lipid products, pharma-grade DOPC arises from extensive purification, careful solvent handling, and triple-stage silica gel chromatography. Each vial comes accompanied by detailed batch records, including chromatograms and residual solvent data, reflecting the years of refinement manufacturers have put in. No serious research lab or formulation unit takes chances here; the difference between an off-the-shelf reagent and pharma-grade DOPC means everything when human trials are on the line.
Looking deeper, DOPC boasts a molecular weight of 785.6 g/mol and melts between 0°C and -20°C, making it easy to handle under most lab conditions. The molecule’s structure revolves around a glycerol backbone esterified to two cis-9-octadecenoic (oleic) acid chains and capped with a phosphocholine headgroup. Lipids like DOPC with unsaturated tails adopt a more fluid, less ordered arrangement; I’ve watched how DOPC-rich liposomes fuse and remodel under the microscope far more readily than saturated PC analogs. In water, DOPC self-assembles swiftly, forming multilamellar or large unilamellar vesicles based on the hydration protocol. This property underlies much of its appeal for encapsulation—each particle becomes a three-dimensional canvas on which bioactive compounds hitch a ride. The high degree of unsaturation also means susceptibility to oxidation. I have encountered batches that turned yellow over months, their hydroperoxide content climbing; storage under nitrogen and at -20°C keeps active oxygen damage at bay.
Manufacturers of DOPC prepared for pharmaceutical use supply comprehensive technical dossiers. Labeling details cover molecular formula (C44H84NO8P), CAS number (4235-95-4), and purity often exceeding 99% as shown by HPLC-ELSD traces. Each label documents water content (Karl Fischer titration), acid value, iodine value, phosphorous content, and residual solvent levels—mostly ethanol, methanol, or chloroform as dictated by processing methods. In practice, end-users examine certificates outlining limits of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium) under 1 ppm, peroxide values commonly below 5 meq/kg, and bioburden data confirming freedom from pathogenic load. SOPs for DOPC use often demand reviewing lot records, cross-validating these technical sheets to GMP standards, and flagging deviations like slight fatty acid profile shifts between lots that could impact critical drug releases.
DOPC preparation has changed with better technologies in fatty acid chemistry and high-resolution purification. Current routes typically begin with the hydrolysis of natural lecithin, separating crude phosphatidylcholine, then swap native acyl chains using the ‘acyl exchange’ or partial enzymatic hydrolysis and reacylation methods. Chemical synthesis from glycerol, choline, and oleic acid derivatives also sees use, though it demands stringent water-free conditions to prevent side reactions. Each step must minimize oxidation; at every stage, whether extracting, reacting, or evaporating solvents, I’ve had to watch for subtle changes that hint at degradation. Precipitation and chromatography finish the process, yielding a clean, crystalline DOPC. Manufacturers recheck chain homogeneity through NMR and mass spec, ensuring both fatty acid chains remain oleoyl rather than a mistake introducing a saturated or mixed chain. This attention to preparation nuances determines whether final batches meet the bar for injectable or oral biopharma applications.
Chemists and formulators often use DOPC as a canvas for functionalization. Its headgroup’s methyl groups allow mild quaternization, labeling, or PEGylation, which alters circulation half-life when used for nanoparticles. Mindful oxidation of the double bonds leads to aldehyde or epoxide groups, which open doors for further conjugation—an area explored in targeted drug delivery. I’ve seen researchers attach folic acid, monoclonal antibodies, or even fluorophores to DOPC, engineering nanoparticles that home in on tumors or permit real-time imaging. Hydrolysis under base or enzyme action produces lyso-PC or sn-1/2-acyl derivatives, both key in mechanistic studies of membrane fusion or permeability. Occasionally, handling such reactive intermediates calls for elaborate anhydrous, inert-atmosphere setups, as even the moisture in a glovebox can upend yields. Companies have patented dozens of derivatives, but DOPC’s adaptability means investigators can test hypotheses rapidly, chasing leads in cancer, gene delivery, or structural biology.
DOPC travels under several names, which sometimes cause confusion in order forms. Common synonyms include 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, dioleoyl lecithin, and PC(18:1/18:1). Trade names from leading suppliers vary: Avanti’s 850375, Sigma’s D6159, and custom codes from European processors. In my experience, referencing both chemical and catalog names on paperwork ensures the right grade lands in the right warehouse. Pharma grade, by strictest definition, always links back to compliance with British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monographs. Misreadings between DOPC and other PCs—like DPPC, DMPC, or hydrogenated variants—have led to headaches in trials, as differing physicochemical properties can derail entire formulation programs.
Pharmaceutical DOPC comes under heavy scrutiny for both handling safety and environmental considerations. Pure DOPC carries a low toxicity profile, but manufacturers treat raw materials and intermediates with caution. I have worked with solvent-rich preparations and watched teams don gloves, goggles, and lab coats, as organic esters might cause mild dermal irritation or rare allergic reactions. Proper ventilation remains essential, especially when handling solvents like chloroform and methanol during batch processing. Quality labs require thorough documentation of cleaning, traceability, and cross-contamination controls—vessels used with animal-origin starting material receive heightened monitoring. Disposal of residues and contaminated containers follows local regulations for lipidic organics, to avoid fat blooms or blockages in waste streams. SOPs focus on regular safety briefings, emergency spill protocols, and mandatory training, reflecting the pharma sector’s intolerance for preventable exposures.
DOPC sits squarely at the center of drug delivery, diagnostic, and research platforms. The molecule’s unsaturated chains give rise to fluid, stable bilayers, making it indispensable for preparing liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and in synthetic biology projects. In my time with pharmaceutical teams, DOPC formed the backbone of lipid vesicles used to deliver small molecules, nucleic acids, and biologics to targeted tissues. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, based on LNPs, drew attention to the value of high-grade DOPC, though related species dominated in final recipes. Hospitals and research groups use DOPC routinely for encapsulating poorly soluble drugs, conferring improved pharmacokinetics and enabling otherwise unworkable therapies. Analytical labs turn to DOPC membranes as calibration standards for electron microscopy, NMR, and mass spectrometry. Its use also stretches into cosmetics, where its biocompatibility and elegant texture underpin premium formulations of creams and ointments. Each application demands a level of purity, consistency, and documentation that places pharma grade DOPC in a category far beyond generic chemical supplies.
Research involving DOPC continues to push boundaries in basic and applied science. Newer syntheses focus on eco-friendly, solvent-saving protocols, minimizing the environmental load of plant extraction or chemical acylation. High-throughput screening relies on DOPC-based membranes to probe interactions with peptides, toxins, or small molecule inhibitors, with readouts informing drug design for a range of diseases from cancer to rare genetic disorders. Teams explore DOPC in synthetic vesicle systems that mimic cellular organelles, allowing in vitro recreation of metabolism or enzymatic pathways. I’ve collaborated with groups testing DOPC derivatives for delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 systems or siRNA, using advanced imaging and nanoparticle tracking analysis to quantify delivery and release at the single-cell level. Efforts to modify DOPC for improved oxidative stability or triggered release upon exposure to light, pH, or certain enzymes are gaining steam—each new variant entering a competitive patent landscape. Despite decades of use, DOPC remains under constant scrutiny as new targets, clinical needs, and regulatory developments appear.
Toxicology data on DOPC, especially of pharma grade, shows a reassuring profile in most animal models. Acute oral and parenteral toxicity studies report LD50 values well above therapeutic ranges, with no evidence of mutagenic or teratogenic effects at doses far exceeding human exposure levels. Long-term implantation studies, crucial for assessing chronic drug delivery vehicles, confirm biocompatibility and absence of inflammatory reactions when DOPC is free from oxidation products. Regulatory authorities require careful monitoring of potential contaminants—peroxides, lysophosphatidylcholine as breakdown products, residual organic solvents—which can introduce signals of stress or toxicity at high levels. In my experience with clinical oversight, rigorous batch documentation and third-party toxicology analysis deliver confidence, but each new chemical modification still demands a full suite of genotoxicity, allergenicity, and immune reactivity checks. Ongoing studies into rare hypersensitivity reactions, particularly among patients with pre-existing lipid disorders, guide future specification updates.
Looking ahead, DOPC’s role in medicine, research, and consumer health will likely expand. The emergence of precision medicine and targeted therapies requires ever-tighter control over excipient quality, pushing the envelope for green, scalable syntheses and zero-residue purification. Advances in computational modeling, such as molecular dynamics simulations, deepen our understanding of how DOPC interfaces with proteins, nucleic acids, and novel payloads in complex biological fluids. Companies now probe the use of DOPC-based vesicles in ‘smart’ delivery—platforms that respond to remote triggers, from ultrasound to electromagnetic fields, releasing drugs exactly where needed. Batch-tracing and supply chain integrity have become critical as global distribution grows. Further, as sustainability pressures increase, the switch from animal or petrochemical to renewable plant-based sources of DOPC gains momentum, with companies investing in non-GMO, solvent-free extraction techniques. Integrating artificial intelligence for quality control, predictive stability, and process optimization will define the next decade, keeping DOPC at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical innovation.
Pharmaceutical companies rely on a handful of trusted ingredients, and dioylphosphatidylcholine, or DOPC, finds its place among them. With strict BP, EP, and USP grades, DOPC hooks right into the demands of modern drug development. I remember talking with industry formulators who see DOPC not as a buzzword but as a backbone molecule for their research. Here’s why pharmacists and scientists pay attention: DOPC belongs to a group called phospholipids, molecules that mimic cell membranes. That close likeness gives it a proven role in liposome creation—a field that has seen massive advances in everything from cancer drugs to mRNA vaccines.
Liposomal drug delivery didn’t start as a mainstream practice. Some years ago, only a few labs pushed the envelope with such systems for tough-to-deliver drugs. Today, DOPC helps form those tiny bubbles—liposomes—that surround and protect tricky pharmaceuticals on their way into the body. That protective role solves real problems. Many drugs break down in the stomach or never reach their target in the blood. Encasing them in DOPC-formed vesicles shields them long enough to do their job. Drug absorption improves, side effects often drop, and scientists can explore combinations once impossible. I’ve seen clinical reports praising the stability that DOPC brings to sensitive molecules like RNA and DNA therapies.
Pharmaceutical grade DOPC crosses over into other uses too. Researchers often use it when building artificial membranes for lab tests. These model membranes give predictable, repeatable results. In my own undergraduate years, we ran batch after batch of artificial cells with DOPC to test protein transport, hoping to learn more about how medicines slip through biological barriers. DOPC’s natural origins (soy or egg lecithin) support a perception of safety—a factor that reassures both scientists and patients, especially in clinical trials.
DOPC’s pharmaceutical grade comes with strict standards. BP, EP, and USP certification means every lot meets purity and contaminant limits to be suitable for injectable or oral use. This matters if you’re dealing with immune-compromised patients or if you’re running a clinical trial with regulatory scrutiny. Contaminants—heavy metals, peroxide levels, microbial content—each get tested batch by batch. Having worked briefly in a pharma QA lab, I appreciate the word “pharma grade” on an ingredient like DOPC: it’s more than a marketing line, it signals confidence for the scientist planning the next step.
High demand puts pressure on both supply chain and pricing. Producers who keep their raw materials clean and traceable help guard both public health and the research community. There's an open need for clearer labeling and traceability from source to shipment. Educators can do a better job explaining these details to early-career pharmacists and researchers. Recognizing potential supply bottlenecks early on, companies can work together on risk management and alternatives.
As new medicines rely more on biological molecules and need targeted delivery, the importance of reliable ingredients like DOPC only grows. Patients and physicians benefit straight away when their medicine works as intended, with fewer side effects, thanks in part to smart formulation choices. DOPC’s place in the toolbox looks secure for years to come.
Quality always stands at the center of pharmaceutical and cosmetic productions. When I first started working with ingredient sourcing teams, everyone talked about the importance of referenced quality standards like BP, EP, and USP. Each stands for a set of strict purification and safety standards set by British, European, and United States pharmacopoeias. DOPC, or 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, usually appears in these conversations.
I’ve noticed DOPC’s rise in popularity thanks to two main reasons. In pharmaceuticals, it’s prized for acting as an excellent lipid component. It plays a role in making liposomes—tiny vesicles used for drug delivery. Liposomes have transformed how medicine targets specific cells, leading to fewer side effects and better results. In cosmetics, DOPC stands out for its skin-conditioning properties and ability to help active ingredients penetrate deeper.
Choosing ingredients that meet these standards isn’t about ticking a box for compliance. I’ve seen how using certified materials directly relates to safety and reliability. In pharma, any contaminant in an excipient can ruin an entire batch or compromise patient safety. In cosmetics, quality slips might not just irritate skin—they think trust in brands. Meeting BP, EP, or USP means the DOPC has cleared some of the world’s strictest purity and traceability barriers.
One study, published by researchers from a leading German cosmetics company, highlighted that regular grades of phospholipids hadn’t just produced inconsistent results in emulsification but also led to unexpected reactions in a small group of volunteers. By switching to USP-sourced DOPC, the outcome became more predictable—fewer reactions, smoother creams, and longer shelf life.
I’ve worked with formulators who emphasize how skipping on pharma grade never saves money in the long run. Impurities in lower-grade DOPC can trigger instability, cause unwanted odors, or produce changes in texture that customers don’t forgive. With pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, consistency isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Pharma grade DOPC, validated by BP, EP, or USP standards, lets R&D teams build products with confidence, minimizing costly batch failures.
There’s also the legal side. Authorities in the US and Europe demand full documentation. If you’re called to prove compliance and you used sub-par ingredients, it’s tough to explain to regulatory bodies or in court. In my own experience handling audits, I’ve noticed that batches made with pharma grade excipients pass without issue, and that assurance alone is worth every penny spent upfront.
Nobody working in product development or sourcing wants a recall. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries have learned that the costs of cutting corners show up sooner or later. High-quality DOPC with BP, EP, or USP grading allows for transparency from lab to shelf. It reduces risks and ensures the safety of the people who trust these products on their skin or in their body.
For teams building the next new therapy or skincare range, sourcing DOPC that carries these certifications delivers traceability, reproducibility, and better end results. This isn’t just a technical requirement—it's an investment in reputation, patient safety, and long-term business health.
DOPC stands for 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. In my work with pharmaceutical manufacturing, these kinds of phospholipids always demand close attention, not just for purity levels but especially for the way they’re stored and handled from delivery to their use in research or formulations.
Most problems I’ve seen with phospholipids like DOPC trace right back to poor storage conditions. Temperature changes, light, and air exposure all chip away at quality. A lipid like DOPC carries plenty of unsaturated bonds. This makes it sensitive to oxidation, which can spoil a whole batch before anyone realizes it. Fluctuating room temperatures encourage slow degradation, and that degrades data and patient safety along with it.
Best practice involves a dedicated, temperature-stable fridge or freezer. I’ve always recommended setting storage below -20°C, as this drastically slows reactions that can turn DOPC rancid or alter its chemical structure. The bottle always stays tightly sealed, and any original packaging protects against moisture and light. Even brief exposure, say leaving a vial out on a countertop as you set up, lets oxidation creep in. Lab routines must build in quick handling with return to cold storage after every use.
Light speeds up the process of breaking down lipids. That’s why dark bottles and wrapping in foil make sense. I recall seeing an entire batch rejected during a quality inspection simply because the clear bottle sat under lab lamps too long. It’s a small fix—choose opaque bottles, train staff to cover containers, and set up storage in a dark drawer or freezer compartment.
Every manufacturer includes a set of recommendations for DOPC, but real habits at the bench can drift. I’ve watched well-trained teams opening vials over and over. Every time, a bit of moisture or oxygen sneaks in. Moisture causes clumping or hydrolysis, which affects the way DOPC dissolves or interacts with other ingredients. Keeping bottles sealed tight and working quickly isn’t negotiable. If you need repeated access, split the main supply into small aliquots using clean, dry tubes. This way, each batch gets used up fast, and the bulk stays untouched and safe.
Gloved hands, antistatic procedures, and designated, sterile tools can avoid cross-contamination. DOPC’s role in sensitive applications—from clinical trials to final product development—makes tiny missteps matter.
Regulatory agencies, including the FDA and EMA, put heavy emphasis on traceability and batch integrity. Pharmacies and labs have to log not just dates but every single event related to storage and use. I always keep worksheets or electronic records that log when vials move from freezer to bench, who used the material, and how much got dispensed. This makes audits easier but also gives immediate answers if a problem batch appears later on.
Everyone benefits when new employees find up-to-date protocols posted right on storage freezers. Periodic reviews and reminders help catch slips in handling before they threaten a batch. Reliable temperature monitoring, ideally with alarms, cuts the risk of accidental thawing. More labs invest in smart inventory tracking. These systems flag soon-to-expire stock and check for breaches in storage rules, reinforcing habits that protect every patient down the line.
DOPC, short for 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, shows up on pharma ingredient lists thanks to its clean lipid profile and steady nature. Folks in the lab and on the manufacturing floor keep an eye on purity, since DOPC in pharma-grade form faces much higher scrutiny than material used for food or industrial uses. People trust that what goes into their meds is as pure as possible—any slip in quality means trouble not just for regulators but for public health too.
British Pharmacopoeia (BP), European Pharmacopoeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) each take a hard line with their purity benchmarks. For DOPC labelled as pharma grade under these standards, purity touches or exceeds 99 percent. Labs use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC) to confirm this. Each pharmacopeia expects the DOPC to stay nearly free from foreign phospholipids, water, metals like iron and lead, and oxidized products. Water content gets measured too—low moisture heads off hydrolysis, stopping breakdown before it starts. And you don’t want peroxides or other oxidized by-products sneaking in, since those can nudge the phospholipid to degrade or put the drug’s stability in doubt.
Batches destined for BP, EP, or USP pharma grade product usually show:
Each pharma house or supplier documents their own data, but all aim to hit the numbers above. You’ll see certificates of analysis (COA) as proof—a sign labs are putting safety and transparency over shortcuts.
Seeing those specs on paper means more than ticking off boxes. I’ve watched scientists and pharmacists pore over COAs before letting raw ingredients near production. Missed contaminants or unpredictable side reactions end up costing time, money, and sometimes people’s well-being. In my experience, pharma workers push for clear and rigorous benchmarks because it saves everyone extra headaches and, more importantly, gives patients a safety net.
The trust patients place in prescription drugs begins at the ingredient level. If a DOPC supplier cuts corners—say, rushing production or ignoring elevated peroxides—it doesn’t just invite scrutiny. It risks final formulations reacting in ways nobody wants. For lipid-based carriers, even small impurities can cause visible changes: a cloudy suspension, an unexpected precipitate, or unstable shelf life. These issues can leave a batch useless or force expensive recalls.
Years in regulated industries taught me that specs only go so far. Routine lab checks, independent audits, and talking with both suppliers and regulators push purity forward. Makers shouldn’t wait for an outside agency to lay down the law before testing for new or overlooked impurities. Tools for rapid testing and batch tracking keep problems from getting big. Choosing suppliers who back their numbers with traceable documentation—and who react fast to questions—matters as much as fine equipment or clean labs.
Purity isn’t just a lab result; it’s about earning people’s trust dose after dose. Companies respond best by focusing on real-world reliability, continuous improvements, and honest reporting, not just chasing compliance for paperwork’s sake.
DOPC, known in labs as 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, plays a big part in the pharmaceutical world. It shows up in liposome formation, research projects, and the growing field of drug delivery systems. Pure, consistent material cuts down on risks in clinical and manufacturing settings. When folks talk about DOPC being “BP EP USP Pharma Grade”, they’re highlighting that this material checks off quality boxes across several global pharmacopoeias. For researchers or pharma professionals who depend on that reliability, packaging matters almost as much as quality.
Anyone who’s spent time working with chemicals in a professional lab knows that packaging isn’t just about shapes and sizes—it can protect delicate compounds, safeguard people, and save a whole project from contamination. DOPC, which can be sensitive to air and moisture, actually benefits from thoughtful packaging decisions. Bulk buyers avoid excess waste, start-ups stretch budgets with smaller orders, and no one wants to fight with a jar that leaves residue behind and twists off one too many times.
A supplier offering DOPC in only one size creates headaches—for the small research lab and the massive manufacturer alike. Ordering a drum of high-value lipid for a five-gram experiment makes no sense; smaller vials or ampoules keep costs realistic, cut down on chemical leftovers, and avoid unnecessary exposure. On the upside, companies with large-volume runs waste time opening dozens of tiny containers if there aren’t industrial-scale options.
Actual suppliers of DOPC pharma grade show a range of packaging. I’ve seen everything from sealed amber glass vials for single-use testing to food-grade HDPE drums sealed tight for shipping thousands of grams. Pharmaceutical regulations require tamper-proofing, robust labeling, and sometimes double-pack protection. Talking to peers in the industry, the flexibility in size—say, one gram up to five kilograms—keeps workflows smooth. Transparency from suppliers about their packaging helps buyers avoid storage problems and, worse, product waste or spoilage.
Labs working in controlled environments push for packaging designed for easy transfer into gloveboxes or isolators. In my experience, each time a container opens, risk kicks up. That simple fact has led reputable suppliers to offer single-use ampoules and pre-measured containers—moves that increase safety and traceability at the point of use.
For anyone working with DOPC in pharma settings, checking what sizes a supplier offers should be a step in sourcing. One lab may only need a couple of grams per month for developing new formulations, another might run commercial batches at rates that burn through kilo lots. Refrigerated or sub-zero packaging protects material during transit, especially on longer journeys. Looking beyond price tags and asking questions about moisture prevention, labeling, and batch consistency counts for a lot.
Working with new suppliers in different countries, I’ve found that some offer custom packaging—these conversations often happen because users have shared real stories of wasted product or supply chain bottlenecks. Getting detailed material certificates and packaging documentation helps keep compliance teams happy and projects moving. This ever-increasing demand for flexibility and transparency suggests suppliers listening to industry needs are the ones serious buyers return to.
Making DOPC BP EP USP Pharma Grade more accessible in different package sizes brings real benefits. There’s less waste, better safety profiles, and smoother planning on the manufacturing floor. Smarter packaging keeps costs clear for buyers, while good communication with trusted suppliers opens doors to custom solutions if the standard options don’t cut it. This kind of responsiveness isn’t just a convenience; it supports science, strengthens manufacturing processes, and builds trust throughout the pharma supply chain.
| Identifiers | |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL4288595 |
| Gmelin Reference | 113798 |
| Properties | |
| Molar mass | 786.113 g/mol |
Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
