Storage & Handling Guide

Lyophilized (Powder) Storage

Temperature: Store at -20°C (-4°F) or colder

• Optimal: -20°C laboratory freezer
• Acceptable: Household freezer compartment (short-term)
• Not recommended: Refrigerator-only storage

Environmental Conditions

• Protect from light: Store in original vial or aluminum foil
• Minimize moisture: Keep vials tightly sealed
• Avoid temperature fluctuations: Use consistent storage location
• Desiccant packets: Include if available to control humidity

Stability Guidelines

Lyophilized Form (Unopened)

• -20°C: 2+ years for most peptides
• 2-8°C: 6-12 months (not recommended long-term)
• Room temperature: Days to weeks (emergency only)

After Reconstitution

• 2-8°C: 1-4 weeks depending on peptide
• -20°C: 1-6 months in aliquots
• Room temperature: Hours only

Reconstitution Protocol

Recommended Solvents

• Bacteriostatic water: Most common, good stability
• Sterile water: For immediate use
• Saline solution: Alternative for some peptides
• Acetic acid solution: For specific peptides (as directed)

Reconstitution Steps

1. Allow vial to reach room temperature (10-15 minutes)
2. Add solvent slowly down the side of vial
3. Gently swirl (do not shake vigorously)
4. Allow complete dissolution (may take several minutes)
5. Inspect for clarity and complete dissolution

Handling Best Practices

Personal Protective Equipment

• Laboratory gloves (nitrile recommended)
• Safety glasses or face shield
• Laboratory coat or protective clothing
• Work in appropriate ventilated area

Contamination Prevention

• Use sterile technique when reconstituting
• Avoid touching vial opening or needles
• Use fresh needles for each withdrawal
• Work on clean, disinfected surfaces

Aliquoting for Long-Term Storage

For peptides used over extended periods:

• Divide reconstituted solution into single-use aliquots
• Store aliquots at -20°C in appropriate containers
• Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
• Label each aliquot with date and concentration

Signs of Degradation

Do not use if you observe:

• Color change from original appearance
• Visible particles or precipitation
• Unusual odor after reconstitution
• Difficulty dissolving or incomplete dissolution
• Crystallization or gel formation

Transportation

• Use insulated containers with ice packs
• Minimize time at ambient temperature
• Plan for direct transport to storage location
• Monitor temperature during transport when possible

Compound-Specific Considerations

Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu)

• Blue color is normal and expected
• May require gentle heating to fully dissolve
• Slightly less stable than non-metal peptides

Large Peptides (>20 amino acids)

• May require longer dissolution time
• Consider using dilute acetic acid for difficult peptides
• Generally more sensitive to temperature fluctuations

Documentation

Maintain records of:

• Storage temperatures and dates
• Reconstitution dates and solvents used
• Any observed changes in appearance
• Lot numbers and expiration tracking

Questions?

For storage questions or compound-specific guidance:
Email: support@opseklabs.com
Include your lot number and specific concerns for fastest response.