Storage & mixing
The basics of keeping lyophilized peptides stable and getting them into solution for in-vitro work.
Storing the powder
- Unopened vials: −20 °C, away from light and moisture.
- Let a cold vial come to room temperature before opening so condensation doesn't form inside.
- A few days at room temperature in the mail is generally tolerated by lyophilized peptides.
Reconstituting
- Wipe the stopper with alcohol and let it dry.
- Add diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial, not straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently or roll the vial until it clears. Don't shake hard; it can denature some peptides.
- Label the vial with the date, concentration and diluent.
Use the mix calculator to work out concentration and volumes.
After mixing
- Keep solutions at 2 to 8 °C.
- For longer storage, split into single-use aliquots and freeze to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- How long a solution stays stable depends on the peptide and diluent. Check the literature for your compound.
Diluents
Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) suits multi-draw vials. Some peptides need a different solvent, such as dilute acetic acid. Check the COA and the literature for your compound.