Frequently Asked Questions
The most searched peptide research questions, answered
Reconstitution math, diluent choice, storage, analytical testing and research-use rules — with links to the full cited references behind each answer.
Reconstitution & calculations
- How do you reconstitute a lyophilized peptide?
- Add the chosen laboratory diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder, then let it dissolve gently without shaking or vortexing. The volume of diluent determines the final concentration, which is a laboratory math problem — our calculator works it out from vial mass and diluent volume.
- Open the reconstitution calculator
- What is bacteriostatic water and why is it used?
- Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which inhibits microbial growth after a vial has been punctured. It is the standard multi-use laboratory diluent; sterile water without preservative is single-use by comparison. Our Research Water reference explains the terminology and handling differences.
- Read the Research Water reference
- How do I calculate peptide concentration after mixing?
- Concentration is vial mass divided by diluent volume: a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL yields 5 mg/mL. Any measured volume then contains a proportional fraction of the total mass. The calculator handles the unit conversions, including microgram-per-unit readings on U-100 syringes.
- Calculate a concentration
- What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and sterile water?
- Both are sterile water for laboratory use; bacteriostatic water adds 0.9% benzyl alcohol so a vial can be entered multiple times with reduced microbial risk, while plain sterile water has no preservative and is treated as single-use. Choice of diluent is a laboratory protocol decision documented in the Research Water reference.
Storage & stability
- How should lyophilized peptides be stored?
- Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are most stable stored cold, dry and protected from light — typically refrigerated or frozen in sealed vials. Heat, moisture and repeated temperature cycling accelerate degradation. Each compound page summarizes its published stability considerations.
- Browse compound research pages
- How long does a reconstituted peptide last?
- Stability in solution varies by compound, diluent, temperature and handling, and published data is often limited. General laboratory practice is to refrigerate solutions, minimize freeze-thaw cycles, and aliquot when repeated use is expected. The reconstitution guide covers the variables that matter.
- Read the reconstitution guide
- Do freeze-thaw cycles damage peptides?
- Repeated freeze-thaw cycling is a known degradation pathway for peptides in solution — ice crystal formation and concentration gradients can promote aggregation and chemical breakdown. Aliquoting solutions into single-use portions is the standard laboratory mitigation.
Quality & testing
- What is a certificate of analysis (COA)?
- A COA is a lot-specific laboratory report documenting the analytical results for one production batch — typically HPLC purity, identity confirmation, and sometimes net content or heavy metals. A COA applies only to the lot it names; it says nothing about other lots. Our posted reports are listed on the Test Reports page.
- View posted test reports
- What does HPLC purity mean?
- High-performance liquid chromatography separates a sample into its components; the purity figure is the percentage of the total signal area attributable to the target peptide. A 99% HPLC result means roughly 1% of the signal came from impurities such as truncated sequences or synthesis byproducts.
- How do I read a peptide COA?
- Check that the lot number matches your vial, then review the analytical methods used (HPLC for purity, mass spectrometry for identity where performed), the reported results, the laboratory name and the analysis date. Our Research Library has a full walkthrough.
- Read the Research Library
- Are Novanta products third-party tested?
- Where a report is posted, it is a lot-specific third-party laboratory document and is linked from both the product page and the Test Reports page. Not every product currently has a posted report; where none exists we say so rather than imply a result.
- Browse current reports
Research use & policy
- Are research peptides legal to buy?
- Research peptides are sold for in-vitro laboratory research only. They are not approved drugs, supplements or foods, and legality depends on the buyer's jurisdiction and intended use. Buyers are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. Nothing on this site is legal or medical advice.
- Can peptides from Novanta be used in humans or animals?
- No. All products are strictly for laboratory research use and are not for human or veterinary consumption under any circumstances. This is stated on every product and is a condition of purchase.
- Do you provide dosing or protocol guidance?
- No. We do not provide dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Our educational pages summarize published research and laboratory handling chemistry only, and clearly distinguish preclinical from clinical evidence.
- What does 'for research use only' mean?
- It means the materials are intended exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and development. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA, are not drugs or dietary supplements, and may not be administered to humans or animals.
Research-use boundary
These answers are educational summaries for qualified laboratory researchers. They do not provide medical advice, dosing guidance, or recommendations for human or veterinary use. All Novanta Research products are for in-vitro laboratory research only.