Reconstitution is the single most consequential step between vial and research result. Get the math right; get the technique right; and your lab data downstream is trustworthy. Get it wrong, and every measurement you take is questionable. This guide walks the procedure that Solvé recommends for the lyophilized peptide and BAC water you receive in every order — written for qualified researchers, in the context of in-vitro work only.

What you'll need

  • 1× vial of lyophilized peptide (e.g. BPC-157 · 5 mg)
  • 1× vial of bacteriostatic water for research (BAC water · 30 mL)
  • 1× 3 mL syringe for transfer (21G needle)
  • 1× U-100 insulin syringe (29G–31G) for drawing research doses
  • Alcohol prep pads & a clean, draft-free workspace
Why bacteriostatic

BAC water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth in the multi-dose vial after the stopper is punctured. Plain sterile water can also be used for single-use reconstitution but offers no preservation. Solvé members receive 30 mL of BAC water free with every order.

Step 1 — Calculate the concentration you want

Concentration is the only number that matters for dosing. It's defined as mg of peptide ÷ mL of solvent. Common choices:

  • 5 mg peptide ÷ 2.5 mL BAC water = 2 mg/mL (common for BPC-157, GHK-Cu)
  • 10 mg peptide ÷ 2.0 mL BAC water = 5 mg/mL (common for Tesamorelin)
  • 30 mg peptide ÷ 3.0 mL BAC water = 10 mg/mL (common for higher-volume compounds)

Our reconstitution calculator will do the arithmetic and tell you exactly how many units to draw on a U-100 syringe for any target dose. Bookmark it.

Step 2 — Disinfect both vials

Wipe the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and the BAC water vial with a fresh alcohol prep pad. Let them air-dry for a few seconds. Do not remove the metal flip-caps — pierce through them with a clean needle. Removing the caps exposes the stopper to contamination.

Step 3 — Draw the BAC water

Using your 3 mL transfer syringe with a 21G needle, draw the exact volume of BAC water you calculated (e.g. 2.5 mL). Hold the BAC vial upside down, insert the needle through the stopper, pull the plunger to fill, and tap to dislodge bubbles.

Step 4 — Add water to the peptide vial slowly

This is the step researchers most often get wrong. Insert your needle at an angle against the inside wall of the peptide vial — not directly into the lyophilized powder. Depress the plunger slowly so the water runs down the inside wall and gently rehydrates the powder. Forceful injection can shear delicate peptide chains and reduce assay-grade purity.

[ photo: angled injection technique ]
Hold the syringe at ~30° against the inner wall. Never inject the water directly into the powder.

Step 5 — Swirl, don't shake

Gently roll the vial between your palms or swirl it in a slow circle to dissolve. Do not shake. Vigorous agitation introduces foam and air bubbles, which can denature peptide structure. Most compounds dissolve completely within a minute or two. If a small amount of powder is still visible, let the vial sit at room temperature for five minutes and swirl again.

Step 6 — Inspect and label

Hold the vial up to good light. A properly reconstituted research solution should be clear and colorless (or very faintly tinted, depending on the compound). Cloudiness, particulates, or visible precipitate are signs to discard the vial.

Label the vial immediately with:

  • Compound name & dose
  • Concentration (mg/mL)
  • Reconstitution date
  • Solvent (BAC water · 0.9% benzyl alcohol)

Storage & shelf life

After reconstitution, store the vial in your laboratory refrigerator at 2–8°C. Do not freeze a reconstituted vial — freezing damages peptide structure. Most peptides reconstituted in BAC water remain assay-grade for 28 days; some longer, some shorter. Specific shelf-life numbers per compound are in our dosing reference.

Slow injection. Swirl, never shake. Refrigerate, never freeze. If you remember three rules, those are the three. — Dr. Naomi Patel, MD · Solvé medical advisor

Common mistakes

  • Shaking instead of swirling — denatures the peptide chain
  • Direct injection into powder — shears the peptide
  • Freezing reconstituted solution — irreversible damage
  • Removing the flip-cap — exposes the stopper to contamination
  • No label — you'll forget the concentration in a week
Research use only This guide is written to support qualified researchers conducting in-vitro work with Solvé research compounds. It is not a guide to human or veterinary use. Solvé products are sold strictly for laboratory research, are not approved by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. By following this guide you agree to use Solvé products only in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.