Knowledge Base

Reference material for researchers working with lyophilised compounds. Educational and informational purposes only.

Common Research Compounds

PeptideWatch tracks pricing across Australian vendors for the following compounds. Names link to live price comparisons.

Lyophilised Compounds: Storage & Handling

Lyophilised (freeze-dried) compounds require specific handling to maintain stability. These guidelines reflect standard laboratory practice.

Before Reconstitution

• Storage temperature: Store lyophilised vials at 2-8°C (refrigerator) for short-term use (weeks). For long-term storage, -20°C or below is standard.
• Light protection: Keep vials away from direct light. Amber vials or opaque storage containers are preferred.
• Avoid freeze-thaw cycles: If stored frozen, aliquot into single-use quantities before freezing to avoid repeated warming.
• Check appearance: Lyophilised powder should be a white to off-white cake. Discolouration, collapse, or visible moisture may indicate degradation.

After Reconstitution

• Reconstitution medium: Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative) is standard for multi-use vials. Sterile water for injection is used for single-use only.
• Technique: Inject reconstitution liquid slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Do not shake. Gently swirl or roll between palms until dissolved.
• Post-reconstitution storage: Refrigerate at 2-8°C immediately. Most reconstituted peptides are stable for 28-30 days when refrigerated, but this varies by compound.
• Inspection: Solution should be clear and colourless to slightly yellow. Cloudiness, particulates, or foaming indicate a problem.

Per-Compound Stability After Reconstitution

The practical shelf life of a reconstituted solution varies by compound. The ranges below reflect commonly cited research and manufacturing guidance; always follow the labelled instructions for the specific batch.

• Longer-lived (4-6 weeks): Semaglutide and tirzepatide solutions are typically reported stable for 4-6 weeks when refrigerated.
• ~4 weeks: BPC-157 is commonly handled within a 4-week window after reconstitution.
• 3-4 weeks: Semax and selank are more fragile and generally used within 3-4 weeks.
• ~3 weeks: IGF-1 LR3 is the most sensitive of the common reconstituted compounds and is usually used within 3 weeks.
• Appearance note: A TB-500 solution may look slightly milky and this is normally expected, not a sign of degradation.

Bacteriostatic Water After Opening

• Preservative: Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits microbial growth and supports multi-use drawing.
• Use window: Standard multi-dose vial practice is to discard opened bacteriostatic water 28 days after first use, even if the vial looks fine.
• Before each draw: Swab the septum with alcohol and draw with a fresh needle each time.

Pre-Filled Syringes

• Storage: Handle pre-filled research syringes as single-use. Keep them capped, upright, and refrigerated if prepared in advance.
• Use window: Practical guidance is to use a pre-filled syringe within 24 hours when refrigerated.
• Before use: Allow the syringe to reach room temperature over 10-15 minutes before drawing up.

Recognising Degradation

• Cloudiness or floaters: Heavy particulate or turbidity is a degradation sign; discard.
• Colour change: Yellow or brown discolouration indicates degradation; discard.
• Odour: Any unusual smell is reason to discard.
• Rule of thumb: When in doubt, discard the vial.

Sources: Roy S et al., Effects of benzyl alcohol on aggregation of reconstituted lyophilised protein, 2005; Maharjan R et al., Stabilization strategies in lyophilization, 2026; CDC multi-dose vial guidance.

Understanding Certificates of Analysis (COAs)

A Certificate of Analysis is a document from a testing laboratory that reports the results of quality testing on a specific batch of a compound. COAs are a key indicator of quality control.

What to Look For

• Purity percentage: Most research-grade peptides should show 95%+ purity by HPLC. Lower purity may indicate impurities or degradation products.
• Testing method: HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and mass spectrometry (MS) are standard. HPLC-MS is the gold standard for identity confirmation.
• Batch number: The COA should reference a specific batch number that matches the vial you hold.
• Testing laboratory: Independent third-party labs are preferred over in-house testing. Look for NATA-accredited labs (Australia) or equivalent international accreditation.
• Date of testing: Testing should be recent and relevant to the batch being sold.

Red Flags

• COA that is undated or older than 12 months
• No batch number linking the COA to the product
• Testing by the vendor themselves rather than an independent lab
• Missing testing methodology (just says "99% pure" with no method)
• COA is a generic template with no specific product identifiers

PeptideWatch flags vendors that provide COA links on their product pages. We verify that links point to actual documents, but we do not independently verify COA contents. Always review documentation yourself.

Australian Regulatory Context

The regulatory landscape for research compounds in Australia is governed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Key points for researchers:

• Research use only: Compounds sold as research chemicals are not approved for human consumption, therapeutic use, or veterinary application under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
• TGA scheduling: Some peptides may fall under specific TGA schedules. Researchers should verify the scheduling status of any compound before purchase.
• Import regulations: Importing research compounds into Australia may require permits under the Customs Act. Researchers at registered institutions typically have streamlined pathways.
• Advertising restrictions: The TGA restricts therapeutic claims for unapproved products. Vendors making medical or therapeutic claims about research compounds may be operating outside compliance.

For ongoing TGA enforcement actions, compliance developments, and policy changes, see our Regulatory Updates section.

Useful Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How does PeptideWatch get its pricing data?

Our automated system checks vendor websites using their public APIs. We track pricing, stock status, and whether vendors provide COAs. Prices are checked frequently and displayed in AUD.

Is PeptideWatch affiliated with any vendor?

No. PeptideWatch is fully independent. We do not own, operate, or hold financial stakes in any listed vendor. No sponsored listings, no priority ranking.

Why do prices differ between vendors for the same compound?

Pricing varies based on vendor overhead, sourcing, batch size, purity grade, and business model. PeptideWatch always shows the cheapest option first so you can compare at a glance.

Does PeptideWatch sell products?

No. We link to third-party vendor sites only. We do not manufacture, sell, or supply any compounds.

How do I verify a COA?

Check that the COA references a specific batch number, is dated, names an independent testing laboratory, and reports purity by HPLC with methodology details. See our COA guide above for detailed criteria.