Overview
Research peptides are typically shipped as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powders in sealed vials. Proper storage of the lyophilized form preserves the compound for 24 months or longer; improper storage — particularly exposure to heat, light, or atmospheric moisture — can degrade the peptide chain and introduce experimental variability that confounds research reproducibility. This page documents the storage parameters and reconstitution practices applicable to most peptides supplied by Solira.
Lyophilized Storage
Lyophilized research peptides should be stored at −20°C in their original sealed vial, protected from light and moisture. Most research-grade peptides are stable for 24 months or longer under these conditions. Brief room-temperature exposure during shipping does not compromise integrity. Extended exposure (multiple weeks at room temperature) is not validated and should be avoided. For lots received with desiccant, retain the desiccant in the storage container; some compounds (notably NAD+) are particularly sensitive to atmospheric humidity.
Shipping and Arrival
Lyophilized peptides ship at ambient temperature in sealed vials. Brief room-temperature exposure in transit does not compromise integrity. On arrival, move the vials to their storage conditions (−20°C, dark, dry) as soon as practical. Keep the desiccant with the vials if one is included. Shipping times and options are on the Shipping Policy.
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water (sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as preservative) or sterile saline are the standard reconstitution solvents for most research peptides. The choice depends on the assay system and downstream methodology in the specific research protocol; researchers should consult target literature for buffer-system specifications. Add the solvent slowly along the inside of the vial wall to minimize foaming and shear stress on the peptide chain; do not shake. Allow the lyophilized powder to dissolve fully before use; gentle swirling assists dissolution. Note the reconstitution date on the vial.
Choosing a Solvent Volume
The volume of solvent sets the concentration of the resulting solution (mg ÷ ml). To compute it for a specific compound and vial size, use the Peptide Reconstitution Calculators. For solvent selection and handling technique, see Bacteriostatic Water for Peptide Reconstitution.
Reconstituted Storage
Once reconstituted in aqueous buffer, store the resulting solution refrigerated at 2–8°C. Most peptide solutions retain stability for up to 30 days when refrigerated, but the validated stability window varies by compound, buffer system, and storage temperature. Aliquot the reconstituted solution into single-use portions before freezing to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles — particularly important for larger peptides (TB-500 class) which are sensitive to freeze-thaw-induced aggregation. Reconstituted GHK-Cu is not freeze-stable for repeated cycles; reconstituted NAD+ degrades more rapidly than the lyophilized form and should be used promptly.
Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Each freeze–thaw cycle exposes a peptide solution to ice-crystal formation and concentration gradients that can aggregate or degrade the chain. Dividing a reconstituted solution into single-use aliquots before freezing means each aliquot is thawed once. Thawed aliquots are not refrozen.
Stability Indicators
Visual indicators of compromised peptide integrity include: precipitation in reconstituted solution that does not redissolve on warming; significant color change from the expected appearance (GHK-Cu, for example, has a characteristic deep-blue color in both lyophilized and reconstituted form — significant color shift may indicate copper dissociation); and visible particulate matter. Compromised material should not be used in research assays. Solira will replace any lot showing stability issues at receipt or within the documented stability window; contact support with the lot number from the vial label.
Documentation
Purity and identity for each lot are documented in third-party reports. See Testing and the COA library. A solution that is cloudy, discolored or shows particles after full dissolution should be checked against its lot report before use in an experiment.
| State | Temperature | Light | Window stated on this page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized, sealed | −20°C | Protected | 24 months or longer |
| Reconstituted | 2–8°C | Protected | Up to 30 days, varies by compound and buffer |
Related Research
- How Solira Tests Every Lot — the testing process that documents the stability characteristics of each compound
- Compound Research Database — per-compound storage and reconstitution notes for the full Solira catalog
- Bacteriostatic Water for Peptide Reconstitution — solvent choice, concentration and handling technique
- What Are Research Peptides? — beginner reference for researchers new to this category
