Handling · 5 min
Storage and Handling: Best Practices for Research Peptides
Lyophilized powder
Sealed, lyophilized peptide stored at -20°C in a desiccated container away from light is generally stable for two years or more, subject to the lot retest date. Repeated warm-cold cycles accelerate degradation.
Reconstitution
Sterile bacteriostatic water is the most common reconstitution solvent for research applications. Some compounds with limited aqueous solubility may require buffered solutions. Add solvent gently down the inside wall of the vial; do not inject directly onto the powder.
Reconstituted storage
Once dissolved, most peptides should be refrigerated at 2–8°C and used within 14–28 days. Compounds in this library that are particularly stable as solutions (or particularly unstable) are noted on their reference pages.
Light and oxygen
Several peptides — particularly those containing tryptophan, methionine, or cysteine — are sensitive to light and oxidative conditions. Amber vials and headspace minimization extend useful life.
Documentation
Maintain a lot log: receipt date, condition on arrival, storage location, reconstitution date, and disposition. This is standard research practice and is essential for reproducibility.