Reconstitution
Reconstitution is the process of adding a sterile diluent — most commonly bacteriostatic water — to a lyophilized peptide powder to create an injectable solution. The volume of diluent added determines the concentration.
Overview
Reconstitution is a critical step in peptide research preparation. The researcher draws the chosen volume of bacteriostatic water (or sterile water) into a syringe, inserts the needle through the rubber stopper of the peptide vial, and injects the water slowly along the vial wall to avoid foaming. The vial is then swirled gently — never shaken — until the powder is fully dissolved. The resulting concentration (in mcg/mL) is calculated by dividing the total peptide mass in micrograms by the volume of diluent added in milliliters. For example, a 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water yields 2,500 mcg/mL. Using a peptide calculator eliminates manual math errors in this step.
Related Terms
Related Calculators
Frequently asked questions
What diluent should I use for reconstitution?+
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water, 0.9% benzyl alcohol) is the standard choice for multi-dose research vials because benzyl alcohol inhibits microbial growth and extends solution stability to 28–30 days when refrigerated.
How much water should I add when reconstituting?+
The volume depends on the vial size and desired concentration. A common starting point for a 5 mg vial is 1–2 mL of BAC water. Use a peptide calculator to determine the exact syringe units per dose at your chosen concentration.
Can I shake the vial to dissolve the peptide faster?+
No. Shaking can cause peptide aggregation or foaming. Swirl the vial gently or let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until the powder fully dissolves.