Reconstitution is the process of dissolving a lyophilised (freeze-dried) peptide back into a liquid solution using a diluent, most commonly bacteriostatic water. Getting this step right matters for accurate concentration and for preserving the peptide's structure. This guide covers the general process used across laboratory research settings.
What you'll need
- A vial of lyophilised peptide
- Bacteriostatic water (or sterile water, per your protocol)
- A sterile syringe
- An alcohol swab
Step-by-step process
- Bring the vial to room temperature. Allow the lyophilised peptide to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before opening, and work in a clean area.
- Sanitise the vial tops. Wipe the rubber stoppers of both the peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with an alcohol swab.
- Draw up the diluent. Using a sterile syringe, draw up the required amount of bacteriostatic water.
- Inject slowly, down the side of the vial. Insert the needle and slowly inject the water down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder. This reduces the mechanical stress on the peptide structure.
- Swirl gently. Do not shake the vial. Gently swirl it until the powder is fully dissolved. Vigorous agitation can denature the peptide.
- Check clarity. The resulting solution should be clear. If it looks cloudy, let it sit briefly and swirl again before use.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Shaking the vial instead of swirling it
- Injecting water directly onto the powder at speed
- Using non-sterile water or equipment
- Skipping proper storage after reconstitution
For detailed storage guidance once a peptide has been reconstituted, see our Reconstitution & Storage page. If you need bacteriostatic water, it's available here.
This guide is provided for laboratory research reference only. All products are strictly for laboratory research use and are not intended for human or veterinary use.