Storage and freeze–thaw handling for lyophilized peptides
Short answer
Store lyophilized peptides at −20 °C or below, sealed and desiccated, protected from light. Once reconstituted in sterile aqueous buffer, hold at 4 °C and use within 14 days. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles; aliquot instead.
Peptides degrade by hydrolysis, oxidation and aggregation. All three are accelerated by water, warmth and oxygen, which is why the freeze-dried form is stable for far longer than a solution.
Recommended conditions
| State | Temperature | Working life |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized, sealed | −20 °C or below | Long term |
| Lyophilized, in use | 2–8 °C, desiccated | Short term |
| Reconstituted | 4 °C | 14 days |
Why aliquot
Each freeze–thaw cycle takes the solution through the temperature range where ice crystals form and re-dissolve, concentrating solutes at the interface and mechanically stressing the peptide. Splitting a reconstituted vial into single-use aliquots removes the need to cycle it at all.
- Allow the sealed vial to reach room temperature before opening, so moisture does not condense onto cold powder.
- Reconstitute with the calculated volume of sterile diluent, directed against the vial wall rather than onto the powder.
- Let it dissolve without shaking. Agitation promotes aggregation.
- Aliquot into single-use volumes and return to storage.
References
Manufacturer storage specifications supplied with each lot. Storage figures shown here match the handling guidance published on every GenDarwin product page.