Reference
What is NAD+?
NAD+ is not a peptide. It is a dinucleotide — two nucleotides joined through phosphate groups — and belongs to an entirely different chemical class from everything else in the peptide range.
Classification
| Type | Small molecule — not a peptide |
| Family | Dinucleotide coenzyme |
| Origin | Discovered by Arthur Harden and William Young in 1906 |
| Supplied as | Lyophilised powder in a sealed vial |
It was found in 1906 during work on fermentation, when Harden and Young established that yeast extract contained a small, heat-stable factor necessary for the reaction to proceed. That work contributed to Harden's share of the 1929 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. It is among the most studied molecules in biochemistry.
What this page does not cover
Nothing here describes what NAD+ does, what it is used for, or whether it is safe. We publish analytical results and ship parcels; we give no guidance on dosing, preparation or use, and that applies to our reference pages as much as to the product pages. The person to ask about any of that is a registered prescriber.
Where it came from
NAD is not a peptide either, and it is older than the peptide bond as a settled idea by four years.
1906 — Lister Institute, London. When was NAD discovered?
More on NAD+
See NAD+ in the range · What is a peptide? · Discovery timeline · All reference
