Glossary
Lyophilized
Also called Lyophilised, Freeze-dried, Lyophilization, Lyo powder, Peptide cake
Freeze-dried. The peptide is frozen and its water removed under vacuum, leaving a dry powder or cake in the vial that is mixed with liquid before use.
In more detail
Freeze drying removes water by freezing a product and then letting the ice turn straight to vapor under low pressure. In pharmaceuticals it is used to make unstable drugs keep longer, and the dry cake often contains helper ingredients that protect its structure.
A lyophilized peptide vial may look like a white disc, a fluffy cake, a thin film or a few loose flakes. Appearance varies with the amount and the process, so a small or collapsed-looking cake is not proof of a problem on its own.
Why it matters
The dry form is the stable form. Peptide guides usually keep powder in the fridge or freezer and away from light, and only start the shorter in-solution clock once the vial is mixed. See Peptide storage.
Related terms
- ReconstitutionAdding a sterile liquid, usually bacteriostatic water, to a vial of freeze-dried peptide powder so it becomes an injectable solution with a known strength.
- Peptide stabilityHow long a peptide keeps its structure and strength. It depends on the molecule, whether it is dry or in solution, temperature, light and handling.
- Cold chainKeeping a product within a set temperature range at every step from maker to user: storage, shipping, and the trip home.
- Vial headspaceThe air space above the powder or liquid in a sealed vial. Its pressure, often a partial vacuum on sealed powder vials, affects how water goes in and how doses come out.
Sources
Each source is labeled by where the information comes from. How we label sources
- Reference workFreeze drying(opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia · checked
- Clinical studyManning MC et al. 2010, Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update, Pharm Res(opens in a new tab)
PubMed · checked
- Competitor guideHow to reconstitute peptides: step-by-step guide(opens in a new tab)
peptiq.io · checked
Updated