Research Procedure Guide

How to Work
with Peptides

A standardised guide to reconstitution, storage, dosing calculations, and sterile technique for lyophilized research peptides. Follow these procedures to maintain compound integrity throughout your research.

Jump to section
Equipment Reconstitution Storage Dosing Sterile Technique Disposal
Research Use Only

All procedures described are intended for qualified researchers working with peptides in a laboratory setting. These compounds are not for human use.

Before You Begin
  • ✓Review the COA for your compound batch
  • ✓Prepare a clean, sterilised workspace
  • ✓Gather all equipment before opening vials
  • ✓Confirm bacteriostatic water is within date
  • ✓Label all reconstituted vials immediately
  • ✓Keep compound cold until moment of use
01
Equipment
What You'll Need

Proper equipment is non-negotiable. Using the wrong materials can degrade your compound, introduce contamination, or produce unreliable results.

Bacteriostatic Water
0.9% benzyl alcohol preserved sterile water. Do not substitute with regular water or saline.
Required
Insulin Syringes
1 mL / 29–31 gauge. Use fresh syringe for each draw. Never re-use between vials.
Required
Alcohol Swabs (70% IPA)
For sterilising vial stoppers and skin. Must be 70% isopropyl — higher concentrations are less effective.
Required
Nitrile Gloves
Powder-free nitrile. Change between compounds. Protects both the researcher and the compound from contamination.
Required
Lab-Grade Precision Scale
Required for compounds measured in milligrams. Minimum 0.001g resolution. Calibrate before each session.
Recommended
Research Log / Notebook
Document batch numbers, reconstitution dates, volumes, and observations. Essential for reproducibility.
Recommended
02
Reconstitution
Preparing Your Compound

Lyophilized peptides must be reconstituted before use. The process is straightforward but requires precise technique to maintain compound integrity.

Important
Always add solvent to the lyophilized powder — never shake. Agitation denatures peptide bonds.
Step 01
Remove compound from cold storage

Allow the vial to reach room temperature before opening — approximately 15–20 minutes. This prevents condensation from entering the vial and diluting the compound upon opening. Do not apply heat.

Never microwave, warm under running water, or expose to direct heat.
Step 02
Sterilise the vial stopper

Wipe the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and bacteriostatic water vial with a fresh 70% IPA swab. Allow to air dry for 30 seconds — do not blow dry or wipe dry. The alcohol needs time to act.

Step 03
Draw bacteriostatic water

Use a fresh insulin syringe to draw your calculated volume of bacteriostatic water (see Dosing section for calculation). Typical reconstitution volumes are 1–2 mL per vial depending on desired concentration. Remove any air bubbles by gently tapping and depressing the plunger.

Vial SizeBac WaterResulting Concentration
2 mg1 mL2 mg/mL (2000 mcg/mL)
5 mg2 mL2.5 mg/mL (2500 mcg/mL)
10 mg2 mL5 mg/mL (5000 mcg/mL)
10 mg5 mL2 mg/mL (2000 mcg/mL)
Step 04
Inject water into the peptide vial

Insert the needle at an angle against the glass wall of the vial — not directly onto the lyophilized powder. Depress the plunger slowly and allow the water to run down the glass. This prevents foaming and protein denaturation.

Never squirt water directly onto the powder. Direct impact denatures the peptide.
Step 05
Allow to dissolve — do not shake

Gently swirl or roll the vial between your palms. Most peptides will dissolve within 30–60 seconds. Some (particularly longer-chain peptides) may take several minutes. The solution should be clear to slightly opalescent. If it remains cloudy after 5 minutes, try adding a small amount of additional bacteriostatic water.

Step 06
Label and date the vial immediately

Label with: compound name, batch number, date of reconstitution, volume added, and resulting concentration. Reconstituted peptides stored in bacteriostatic water are stable for 4–6 weeks under refrigeration (2–8°C).

03
Storage
Maintaining Compound Integrity

Improper storage is the most common cause of compound degradation. Temperature, light, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles all accelerate peptide breakdown.

Lyophilized (Dry Powder)
Temperature −20°C
Shelf Life 24 months
Light Protect
Humidity Dry environment
  • Store in original sealed vial until ready to use
  • May be stored at 4°C for up to 3 months without degradation
  • Avoid repeated temperature cycling
  • Short-term shipping at ambient temp (<72 hrs) is generally acceptable
Reconstituted (In Solution)
Temperature 2–8°C
Shelf Life 4–6 weeks
Light Protect strictly
Freeze-Thaw Avoid entirely
  • Refrigerate immediately after reconstitution
  • Never freeze a reconstituted peptide solution
  • Use amber or foil-wrapped vials to prevent UV degradation
  • Discard if solution becomes cloudy, discoloured, or develops particulates
  • Mark discard date on vial at time of reconstitution
Common Storage Mistakes
✕
Freezing reconstituted solution Ice crystal formation physically destroys peptide structure. Once reconstituted, do not freeze.
✕
Leaving vials at room temperature Even a few hours at 25°C significantly accelerates degradation in reconstituted solutions.
✕
Exposing to light UV and visible light cleave peptide bonds. Store in opaque containers or wrap in foil.
✕
Using tap water or saline for reconstitution Only bacteriostatic water contains the preservative (benzyl alcohol) needed to inhibit microbial growth.
04
Dosing Calculations
Measuring Accurately

Precise dosing is essential for reproducible research. The following formula and reference table apply to any lyophilized peptide reconstituted in bacteriostatic water.

The Formula
Desired dose (mcg) Concentration (mcg/mL) = Volume to draw (mL)
Example

You have a 5 mg vial of BPC-157 reconstituted with 2 mL bacteriostatic water.
Concentration = 5000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 2500 mcg/mL.
To draw 250 mcg: 250 ÷ 2500 = 0.1 mL (10 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe).

Quick Reference — Insulin Syringe Units
Based on 2500 mcg/mL concentration (5 mg in 2 mL)
Desired Dose Volume (mL) Syringe Units (100U) Syringe Units (50U)
100 mcg0.04 mL4 units2 units
200 mcg0.08 mL8 units4 units
250 mcg0.10 mL10 units5 units
300 mcg0.12 mL12 units6 units
500 mcg0.20 mL20 units10 units
1000 mcg0.40 mL40 units20 units
Adjust calculations proportionally for different concentrations. Always verify your math before drawing.
05
Sterile Technique
Avoiding Contamination

Contamination can invalidate research, degrade your compound, and introduce hazardous material. Sterile technique is not optional — it is foundational.

—
Work in a clean environment

Use a laminar flow hood when available. If not, work on a freshly disinfected, flat surface. Wipe down with 70% IPA before beginning. Avoid drafts — moving air carries particles.

—
Never touch needle or plunger

The needle tip and plunger rod must never contact any surface, skin, or non-sterile material. If either is contaminated, discard the syringe immediately and begin with a fresh one.

—
One needle per vial

Never use the same needle to enter multiple vials. Cross-contamination between compounds — or between your syringe and a vial — can invalidate results or degrade the remaining compound in storage.

—
Swab, wait, enter — every time

Every time you access a vial, wipe the stopper with a fresh IPA swab and wait a full 30 seconds. This is not excessive — alcohol requires contact time to denature microbial proteins and reduce contamination risk.

—
Change gloves between compounds

Gloves prevent skin flora from contaminating your compound and protect against compound exposure. Change between each compound and whenever gloves contact a non-sterile surface.

—
Inspect for particulates before each use

Hold the vial to light before drawing. Any cloudiness, floating particles, colour change, or crystallisation is grounds for discarding the vial. When in doubt, discard — the cost of a new vial is negligible compared to compromised research data.

06
Disposal
Safe Waste Handling

Research waste must be disposed of in compliance with your institutional biosafety policy and applicable local regulations.

Sharps (Needles & Syringes)

Dispose in an approved sharps container immediately after use. Never recap needles. Once the container is ¾ full, seal and dispose according to your local sharps waste regulations or institutional protocol.

Expired or Degraded Compounds

Reconstituted peptides past their use-by date or showing signs of degradation should be treated as biological waste. Follow institutional biohazard disposal protocols — do not pour down the drain.

Empty Vials & Packaging

Glass vials should be placed in a puncture-resistant container before standard waste disposal. Outer packaging (cardboard, labels) can be disposed of in general waste after removing identifying information.

Ready to Order

Start Your Research
with Verified Compounds

Every compound ships with a published COA, full molecular data, and storage instructions. Canadian-based, cold-chain shipped.

Browse Catalogue About Our Standards