Researcher Handbook

Lyophilised vs Reconstituted

Lyophilised (freeze-dried) peptides are stable at room temperature for short periods but are best stored in a freezer at -20°C for long-term preservation. Once reconstituted, stability drops significantly and cold-chain storage becomes essential.

Temperature Guidelines

• Lyophilised, sealed: -20°C for up to 24 months. Short-term (under 4 weeks): refrigerator at 2-8°C is acceptable.
• Reconstituted: 2-8°C in a refrigerator. Most peptides remain stable for 2-4 weeks once reconstituted. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Long-term reconstituted storage: Aliquot into single-use portions before freezing to avoid degradation from repeated temperature changes.

Light Sensitivity

Many peptides degrade on exposure to UV light. Store vials in their original opaque container or wrapped in foil. Avoid leaving vials on surfaces near windows.

Shelf Life Summary

• Lyophilised, -20°C: 18-24 months (compound-dependent)
• Lyophilised, 2-8°C: 3-6 months
• Reconstituted, 2-8°C: 2-4 weeks
• Reconstituted, -20°C (aliquoted): up to 3 months

What You Need

• Bacteriostatic water (BAC water): the standard reconstitution solvent for peptides
• A 1 ml or 2 ml insulin syringe for drawing and measuring
• Alcohol swabs (70% isopropyl)
• The peptide vial

Step-by-Step Process

1. Calculate your BAC water volume. Use the reconstitution calculator to determine how much BAC water to add based on your vial size and desired concentration.
2. Swab the vial tops. Clean both the peptide vial and the BAC water vial with an alcohol swab. Allow to air dry for 10-15 seconds.
3. Draw the BAC water. Insert the syringe into the BAC water vial and draw the calculated volume.
4. Inject slowly into the peptide vial. Point the needle at the inner glass wall, not directly onto the powder. Let the water run down the side. Do not inject forcefully onto the lyophilised cake.
5. Do not shake. Swirl the vial gently or roll it between your palms until the powder is fully dissolved. Shaking can degrade peptide bonds.
6. Allow to sit if needed. Some peptides take 1-2 minutes to fully dissolve. The solution should be clear.
7. Label and refrigerate. Mark the vial with the date of reconstitution. Store at 2-8°C.

Common Questions

Can I use sterile water instead of BAC water? Sterile water lacks the benzyl alcohol preservative in BAC water, so reconstituted peptides will degrade faster. BAC water is standard for this reason.

What if the solution is cloudy? Allow more time for dissolution. Persistent cloudiness may indicate degradation or contamination. Do not use the solution.

Before You Start

Having the right equipment ready before reconstitution reduces handling errors and contamination risk. The list below covers everything a researcher typically needs.

Essential Items

• Bacteriostatic water (BAC water): 30 ml vials are standard. One vial covers multiple reconstitutions.
• Insulin syringes (1 ml, U-100): The standard for drawing and measuring peptide solutions. The U-100 scale (100 units = 1 ml) makes volume calculations straightforward.
• Alcohol swabs (70% isopropyl): For swabbing vial stoppers before each insertion.
• Sharps disposal container: Required for safe needle disposal.

Useful Additions

• 2 ml syringes: Helpful for larger BAC water volumes during reconstitution.
• Permanent marker and labels: For noting reconstitution dates on vials.
• Small cooler or insulated bag: For transporting reconstituted peptides while maintaining temperature.
• Notebook or spreadsheet: For logging doses, dates, and observations.

What You Do Not Need

Peptide reconstitution does not require a lab environment. A clean, flat surface with good lighting is sufficient. Avoid areas with strong airflow (open windows, fans) during preparation.

Overview

Intranasal delivery routes peptides through the nasal mucosa, bypassing first-pass metabolism. Researchers studying compounds with CNS activity (Semax, Selank, Adamax) frequently use this method because the nasal route offers direct proximity to the blood-brain barrier.

Equipment

• Nasal atomiser device: A syringe-mounted atomiser (e.g. LMA MAD Nasal) converts liquid to a fine mist. Pump volume is typically 0.1 ml per actuation.
• 1 ml syringe: For loading the atomiser.

Reconstitution for Nasal Use

Concentrate your solution so that the desired dose fits within a comfortable nasal volume, typically 0.1-0.2 ml per nostril. Use the intranasal spray calculator to work out the correct BAC water volume for your vial size and target dose.

Administration Notes

• Blow nose gently before administration to clear mucus.
• Tilt head slightly forward, not back.
• Insert the atomiser just inside the nostril and direct toward the outer nasal wall, not the septum.
• Alternate nostrils for larger volumes to stay within comfortable per-nostril limits.
• Sniff gently after administration. Do not forcefully inhale.

Storage Considerations

Peptides reconstituted for nasal use follow the same storage rules as injectable preparations. Refrigerate at 2-8°C and use within the standard reconstituted shelf life window.

Shaking the Vial

Vigorous shaking during or after reconstitution is the most common source of peptide degradation. The mechanical stress breaks peptide bonds. Always swirl or roll gently.

Injecting BAC Water Directly onto the Powder

Pointing the syringe needle directly at the lyophilised cake and injecting forcefully disrupts the peptide structure. Direct the water stream at the inner glass wall and let it run down slowly.

Repeated Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Freezing and thawing reconstituted peptides multiple times accelerates degradation. Aliquot into single-use volumes before freezing so each portion is only thawed once.

Leaving Vials at Room Temperature

Reconstituted peptides lose potency rapidly at room temperature. Return vials to the refrigerator promptly after drawing a dose. Do not leave on a bench for extended periods.

Not Swabbing Vial Stoppers

Each needle insertion is a contamination risk. Swab the stopper with a fresh alcohol wipe before every entry and allow it to air dry before inserting the needle.

Using Cloudy or Discoloured Solutions

A clear solution is expected after reconstitution. Cloudiness, visible particles, or unusual colour suggest contamination or degradation. Do not use the solution.

Incorrect Concentration Calculations

Dosing errors almost always trace back to a miscalculated concentration. Use the reconstitution calculator before preparing any solution and double-check the arithmetic before drawing a dose.

What Is a Certificate of Analysis?

A certificate of analysis (CoA) is a document from an independent laboratory confirming the identity, purity, and composition of a compound. For research peptides, a CoA is the primary evidence that what is in the vial matches what is on the label.

Key Sections

Sample identification: The compound name, batch number, and sometimes the molecular formula. Confirm these match the product you received.

Purity (HPLC): Reported as a percentage. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separates the compound from impurities. Research-grade compounds typically show 98% or higher purity. Anything below 95% is a quality concern.

Identity (MS / mass spectrometry): Confirms the molecular weight matches the theoretical value for the compound. A mass spectrum showing the correct [M+H]+ ion confirms the peptide is the correct sequence.

Water content: Lyophilised peptides contain residual water. Some CoAs report this via Karl Fischer titration. It is relevant when calculating precise doses but is often omitted from standard reports.

What to Look For

• Purity at or above 98%
• Observed molecular weight matching theoretical within acceptable instrument tolerance (typically ±0.01%)
• Testing performed by a named third-party laboratory, not the supplier
• Batch number matching the batch number on your vial label

Red Flags

• No batch number on the CoA, or a batch number that does not match the product
• Purity below 95%
• CoA issued by the supplier rather than an independent laboratory
• No mass spectrometry data (purity alone is not sufficient to confirm identity)