What Is Bacteriostatic Water?
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) is sterile water for injection containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The benzyl alcohol inhibits bacterial growth in multi-use vials, extending the stability of reconstituted peptides to approximately 28 days refrigerated.
Plain sterile water has no preservative and drops stability to roughly 24 hours after reconstitution — making BAC water the strongly preferred solvent for research peptide reconstitution unless same-day use is planned.
- Bacteriostatic water: Contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative → 28 days stability refrigerated
- Sterile water (no preservative): No antimicrobial protection → 24 hours stability
- Recommendation: Always use bacteriostatic water for research reconstitution unless explicitly contraindicated by the compound
Supplies Needed
- Lyophilized peptide vial
- Bacteriostatic water vial (Evo Peptides 30ml)
- Insulin syringe (U-100, 0.5ml or 1ml, 28–29 gauge)
- Alcohol swabs (×2 minimum per reconstitution)
- Permanent marker for labeling
- Refrigerator for storage
Step-by-Step Reconstitution
- 1Wash hands thoroughlyClean technique is essential. Wash with soap for at least 20 seconds before handling any vials or syringes.
- 2Wipe both vial tops with alcohol swabsSwab the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and the BAC water vial. Allow to air dry for 10–15 seconds before inserting any needle.
- 3Calculate and draw your BAC water volumeDetermine your target concentration (see calculator below), then draw the corresponding volume of BAC water into your syringe. Pull back slightly more than needed, then push to exact volume to remove air bubbles.
- 4Insert needle and inject slowly down the vial wallCritical step: Insert the needle at an angle so the BAC water runs slowly down the inner glass wall — never inject directly onto the powder. Direct forceful injection can denature the peptide.
- 5Swirl gently — do not shakeRotate the vial gently between your fingers or roll it on a flat surface. The powder should dissolve within 30–60 seconds, yielding a clear, colorless solution. Shaking creates bubbles and can denature peptides.
- 6Inspect the solutionThe reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless (exception: GHK-Cu will be blue due to its copper content). Cloudiness or particulates may indicate contamination or degradation — do not use.
- 7Label and refrigerate immediatelyMark the vial with the peptide name, concentration (mcg/ml), and reconstitution date. Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Do not freeze a reconstituted vial. Use within 28 days.
Concentration Calculator
Use this reference table to determine the resulting concentration based on vial size and BAC water volume added:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Injecting directly onto powder — Always aim BAC water at the inner vial wall, not the powder cake
- Shaking the vial — Shaking can denature the peptide and creates difficult-to-clear air bubbles
- Using plain sterile water — Without the bacteriostatic preservative, stability drops to 24 hours
- Freezing reconstituted peptide — Freeze only lyophilized (unreconstituted) vials; freezing liquid solution degrades most peptides
- Not labeling with date — 28-day stability window is easy to lose track of without a clear date
- Using a dull or used needle — Always use a fresh syringe; reused needles are not suitable for research applications
Storage After Reconstitution
| State | Storage | Stability |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized powder (sealed) | Refrigerated 2–8°C | Months to years (check COA) |
| Reconstituted with BAC water | Refrigerated 2–8°C, do not freeze | Up to 28 days |
| Reconstituted with sterile water | Refrigerated 2–8°C | ~24 hours |
| Lyophilized powder (long-term) | Freezer −20°C (sealed) | 1–2 years or longer |