Glossary
Peptide stability
Also called Peptide degradation, Shelf life, Potency loss, Beyond-use date
How long a peptide keeps its structure and strength. It depends on the molecule, whether it is dry or in solution, temperature, light and handling.
In more detail
Peptides break down through chemical routes (such as oxidation and deamidation) and physical ones (such as clumping into aggregates). These reactions run much faster in solution than in the dried state, and faster when warm. That is why powder is kept cold and dry, and a mixed vial goes in the fridge.
Specific "days after mixing" figures for research peptides are mostly guide conventions. The common 28 days traces to the multi-dose vial rule for the preservative, not to stability data for each peptide. A few compounds have published data, mostly the approved drugs on their labels.
Why it matters
Cloudiness, particles or a color change are visible signs a solution has changed. See Peptide storage for what each source says.
Related terms
- LyophilizedFreeze-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.
- Cold chainKeeping a product within a set temperature range at every step from maker to user: storage, shipping, and the trip home.
- Bacteriostatic waterSterile water with a small amount of benzyl alcohol added as a preservative, so a vial can be punctured more than once. It is the default liquid for mixing multi-dose peptide vials.
- 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.
Peptides where this comes up
Sources
Each source is labeled by where the information comes from. How we label sources
- Clinical studyManning MC et al. 2010, Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update, Pharm Res(opens in a new tab)
PubMed · checked
- RegulatoryPreventing unsafe injection practices(opens in a new tab)
CDC · checked
- Competitor guideHow long do reconstituted peptides last(opens in a new tab)
peptidesexplorer.com · checked
Updated