A peptide vial is the sealed container that contains a lyophilized peptide compound. Often, it is shipped under an atmosphere of dry inert gas to prevent exposure to air during shipping and storage. These containers are made of glass or polypropylene and come in a range of sizes. The ideal container should be clean, chemically inert and optically clear. The lid must also be strong and securely attached to prevent leakage during handling. In addition to being able to store and manipulate the peptide, a peptide vial should be labeled with its net peptide weight and storage instructions.
Peptides are primarily sold in the form of a dry, crystalline powder called a lyophilized compound. When a scientist needs to use a peptide, it must be reconstituted into a liquid solution before it can be used. Adding the correct amount of solvent and following the recommended reconstitution protocol is crucial to getting accurate results. The wrong solvent can cause the peptide to degrade or lose its biological activity.
To begin the process of converting a lyophilized powder into a liquid solution, scientists must first get familiar with the peptide’s net peptide weight. This is a fixed amount of peptide stated in milligrams or micrograms on the product’s label.
The next step is to add the proper amount of solvent to the peptide in the sterile peptide vial. This is usually done using a syringe. To avoid contaminating the peptide, it is recommended to use a one-time only syringe needle and to apply aseptic technique during this process. The syringe should be filled with either bacteriostatic water or sterile water. Bacteriostatic water is preferred because it can be accessed for multiple doses and has a longer shelf life than sterile water, which must be discarded shortly after opening.
Once the peptide is reconstituted, it should be allowed to equilibrate to room temperature before removing the lid. This will reduce moisture uptake and improve long-term stability. It is a good idea to store the reconstituted peptide in the refrigerator if possible, as this will further enhance its long-term stability.
When a peptide has been reconstituted, it is important to keep in mind that the amino acid residues of the peptide are reactive and will adsorb onto surfaces in solutions. This can cause a significant loss of the desired peptide at high concentrations. As such, it is recommended to always use the lowest concentration of a peptide that will provide the desired effect when working with a new solution.
If the peptide is to be stored for a long period of time, it should be aliquoted into several smaller vials and frozen in order to minimize its degradation. In addition, it is recommended that the peptide be kept in an environment that is below -20°C to avoid freeze-thaw cycles. Peptides can also suffer from bacterial degradation in solutions, so avoiding these conditions is beneficial to the integrity of the peptide. In addition, it is also important to avoid exposure to light as this can degrade a peptide as well. peptide vials