Storage and Handling Guidance for Research Peptides

Why Storage Conditions Matter

Peptides are susceptible to degradation through several pathways: hydrolysis (particularly in aqueous solution), oxidation (especially at methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan residues), aggregation, and photodegradation of aromatic residues. Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are considerably more stable than reconstituted solutions, which is why proper storage protocol matters throughout the research workflow — from receipt through experimental use.

Lyophilized Powder Storage

• Temperature: Store at -20°C for long-term stability. Most peptides in our catalog remain stable for extended periods when stored correctly at this temperature.
• Light: Store in light-protected (amber or foil-wrapped) containers — several residues common in research peptides are photosensitive.
• Moisture: Keep desiccated. Lyophilized powder is hygroscopic; moisture uptake accelerates hydrolytic degradation and can affect subsequent solubility.
• Sealed containers: Minimize freeze-thaw cycling of the storage container itself by aliquoting before freezing where practical, reducing repeated exposure to ambient humidity.

Reconstitution Guidance

When reconstituting lyophilized peptide for research use:

1. Allow the vial to reach room temperature before opening, to minimize condensation inside the vial.
2. Use an appropriate solvent for the specific peptide (commonly sterile water, dilute acetic acid, or bacteriostatic water depending on the compound’s solubility profile — consult the peptide’s specific literature).
3. Add solvent slowly down the side of the vial rather than directly onto the powder, and avoid vigorous shaking; gently swirl or rotate to dissolve.
4. Once reconstituted, store at 2–8°C and use within the timeframe noted on the product’s specification table (typically 7–14 days depending on the compound’s stability profile).

Compound-Specific Notes

A small number of compounds in our catalog require additional care:

• NAD+ is more chemically labile than most peptides and should be used within 7 days of reconstitution, with minimal freeze-thaw cycling.
• GHK-Cu, as a copper complex, should be protected from prolonged light exposure to avoid oxidative degradation of the copper-peptide bond.

Full storage parameters for each compound are listed on its individual product page.

Shipping and Receipt

Peptide Factory ships lyophilized products with appropriate cold-chain packaging for bulk and distribution orders. Upon receipt, transfer product to proper -20°C storage promptly. See Bulk Ordering for shipping and documentation details on larger orders.

This guidance reflects general laboratory best practice for peptide storage and is not exhaustive for every compound or research protocol. Peptide Factory products are supplied for research use only — not for human consumption.