Bacteriostatic Water

Overview

Bacteriostatic water is a sterile water preparation containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative. It is the standard diluent used for reconstituting lyophilised research peptides in laboratory protocols, and is a core supply item for any peptide research workflow. This vial contains 30mL of sterile bacteriostatic water.

What is Bacteriostatic Water?

Bacteriostatic water is sterile water that has been prepared with the addition of benzyl alcohol, a bacteriostatic agent that inhibits microbial growth in the vial after the stopper is first punctured. The 0.9% concentration is the standard formulation used in research and laboratory settings. Unlike plain sterile water (which must be used immediately after opening), bacteriostatic water can be drawn from across multiple reconstitution events over a period of up to 28 days while maintaining sterility, making it more practical for research protocols that require multiple draws from a single peptide vial.

Role in Peptide Research

Lyophilised (freeze-dried) peptides must be reconstituted in a liquid diluent before being incorporated into any research protocol. Bacteriostatic water is the most commonly used diluent for this purpose in the published research literature because:

It is sterile and compatible with most peptide formulations

The benzyl alcohol preservative prevents microbial contamination during multiple draws

It can be stored at refrigerated temperatures after reconstitution

It does not significantly alter peptide stability under standard protocols

For researchers working with multiple peptide compounds, keeping bacteriostatic water on hand is essential for daily laboratory workflow.

Storage and Handling

Store unopened vials at room temperature (15-25°C) away from direct sunlight. After the stopper has been punctured, the vial may be drawn from for up to 28 days if stored refrigerated (2-8°C) and handled with aseptic technique. Discard any remaining water after 28 days to maintain laboratory hygiene standards.

Quality and Verification

Our bacteriostatic water is manufactured to pharmaceutical grade standards and ships sealed from the supplier. Each batch is verified for sterility and preservative concentration before dispatch.

Further Reading

For peptide reconstitution guidance, use our reconstitution calculator.

Disclaimer

For research use only. Not for human consumption. The information provided is for educational and research purposes only.