Bacteriostatic Water (10ml)

Buy Bacteriostatic Water 10ml from Crystal Peptides, a research diluent formulated with sterile water and benzyl alcohol to help inhibit bacterial growth. We maintain a reliable supply of BAC Water and other reconstitution solutions, making it convenient to source research peptides and related laboratory supplies in one place. Enjoy fast, affordable and discreet shipping across the UK, EU and worldwide.

Bacteriostatic water is water containing a bacteriostatic preservative, commonly benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth when stored appropriately. In laboratory research, bac water is used as a diluent for compatible compounds, including certain lyophilised peptides. Its preservative distinguishes it from plain sterile water, allowing a properly handled vial to be accessed repeatedly for a limited period, in accordance with the product's instructions.

This makes bacteriostatic water a practical and economical option for research applications that require multiple withdrawals from the same vial, while helping to inhibit bacterial growth between uses.

What's Included

This product consists of:

• Bacteriostatic Water (10ml)
• Formulation: Aqueous solution containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol in sterile water as the bacteriostatic preservative
• Container: 10ml glass vial with rubber septum
• Intended use: Laboratory research applications

This product is third-party tested by batch, and Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are available on the product page and through our Lab Tests page. Please consult the relevant batch CoA for the available test results and documentation.

At Crystal Peptides, we aim to make sourcing research materials more convenient by offering peptides and compatible laboratory solutions through one online shop. Alongside our research peptide catalogue, you can also order Acetic Acid 0.6% Mixing Water, helping you source related laboratory supplies in one place.

Bacteriostatic Water Technical Specifications

Bacteriostatic water differs from plain sterile water through the addition of a preservative intended to inhibit bacterial growth.

What Is Bacteriostatic Water and How Does It Work?

Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth. Our Bacteriostatic Water (10ml) contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol in sterile water, making it a preservative-containing diluent for compatible laboratory research compounds.

Benzyl alcohol helps prevent bacteria from multiplying in the solution under appropriate conditions. This is the defining feature of bacteriostatic water: unlike plain sterile water, it is formulated for multidose applications where the vial may be accessed repeatedly within its permitted in-use period.

Why is Bacteriostatic Water Used for Reconstitution?

Repeatedly accessing a vial creates opportunities for microbial contamination. Benzyl alcohol helps limit bacterial growth between withdrawals, making bacteriostatic water a practical option for research protocols that require multiple withdrawals from the same container. However, the preservative is not a substitute for proper handling and does not guarantee protection against all forms of contamination.

How Long Does Bacteriostatic Water Last After Opening?

The expiry date printed on a vial applies to the unopened product under its specified storage conditions. Once the vial is first punctured, a separate in-use period may apply.

For conventional multidose vials, a 28-day period after first puncture is commonly used in pharmaceutical guidance unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. This is distinct from the unopened product's expiry date. The vial's appearance alone cannot establish whether it remains suitable for use, and the preservative should not be assumed to remain effective indefinitely.

Does Bacteriostatic Water Keep Peptides Stable?

The preservative primarily helps control bacterial growth; it does not prevent a peptide from degrading after reconstitution. Peptide stability depends on factors such as the compound's chemical properties, the solution's composition, temperature and storage duration. Consequently, the appropriate handling conditions and usable period of a reconstituted research compound may differ from those of the bacteriostatic water itself.

Applications of Bacteriostatic Water in Laboratory Research

Bacteriostatic water is widely used as a research diluent for compatible lyophilised peptides and other laboratory compounds. Its main advantage over preservative-free water is the inclusion of benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth and makes the solution suitable for research workflows involving multiple withdrawals from a vial.

Peptide Reconstitution

Many research peptides are supplied as lyophilised powders. For compounds compatible with benzyl alcohol, bacteriostatic water can provide an aqueous medium for preparing a solution for laboratory analysis and experimentation. The appropriate diluent depends on the peptide's solubility, chemical stability and the requirements of the research protocol.

Multidose Laboratory Workflows

The bacteriostatic preservative makes BAC Water practical for workflows where a vial may need to be accessed repeatedly over a defined period. Rather than relying on preservative-free water, researchers can use a suitable multidose formulation that helps inhibit bacterial growth between withdrawals. Proper aseptic handling remains essential, and the permitted in-use period must be observed.

Supporting Research Consistency

The choice of diluent can influence experimental results. Benzyl alcohol, solution pH and other formulation characteristics may affect a compound's behaviour, so researchers should account for these factors when designing experiments or comparing results. Bacteriostatic water is a practical option when its formulation is compatible with the material being studied and the research method.

Important: Bacteriostatic water does not prevent every form of contamination or guarantee the chemical stability of a reconstituted peptide. Its preservative function addresses bacterial growth; the stability and handling requirements of each research compound must be considered separately.

Bacteriostatic Water vs Sterile Water vs Acetic Acid 0.6% Water Comparison

Bacteriostatic water, sterile water and Acetic Acid 0.6% Water are all water-based laboratory solutions, but their compositions give them different properties. Bacteriostatic water contains benzyl alcohol to inhibit bacterial growth, sterile water has no added preservative, and acetic acid water provides an acidic environment that can improve the solubility of certain research compounds.

Bacteriostatic Water vs Sterile Water

The defining difference is the presence of benzyl alcohol. Bacteriostatic water contains a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth, making it useful for appropriately designed multidose applications. Plain sterile water does not contain this preservative and therefore does not provide the same protection against bacterial proliferation after the container is accessed.

For laboratory research, BAC Water may be a practical choice when the protocol permits a benzyl alcohol-containing solution and repeated withdrawals are required. Sterile water may be preferable when a preservative-free medium is needed or when the compound is incompatible with benzyl alcohol.

Neither solution is automatically suitable for every research compound. The formulation and requirements of the experimental protocol should determine the choice.

Bacteriostatic Water vs Acetic Acid 0.6% Water

These solutions serve different purposes. Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol to inhibit bacterial growth, while Acetic Acid 0.6% Water contains acetic acid to create an acidic environment.

For peptide research, pH can influence the electrical charge and solubility of a peptide. Some compounds dissolve adequately in BAC Water, while others may require acidic conditions to achieve suitable solubility. Acetic acid water may therefore be useful when the compound's documented properties or research protocol calls for a lower-pH solution.

Bacteriostatic Water vs Bacteriostatic Saline

Bacteriostatic saline combines sodium chloride in water with a bacteriostatic preservative, commonly benzyl alcohol. Unlike standard bacteriostatic water, which contains no added sodium chloride, bacteriostatic saline also provides a saline environment with dissolved ions. This is an important distinction because salt concentration and ionic strength can influence peptide solubility and molecular interactions.

Bacteriostatic saline is therefore not interchangeable with bacteriostatic water, and the appropriate choice depends on the compound's compatibility and the requirements of the research protocol. The product supplied by Crystal Peptides is Bacteriostatic Water (10ml) containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol in sterile water; it is not a saline solution.

Bacteriostatic Water Storage and Handling

Proper storage and handling help maintain the quality of Bacteriostatic Water (10ml), both before opening and during the period of use. Follow these guidelines to protect the solution and minimise the risk of contamination.

Before Opening

• Storage temperature: Store at controlled room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 25°C. Refrigeration is not required under these conditions.
• Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight: Keep the vial in a clean, dry storage area away from direct sunlight and significant temperature fluctuations.
• Check the expiry date: The unopened product's shelf life is separate from its permitted period of use after opening. Our stated shelf life should be confirmed against the product's validated specifications.

After First Use

Once the vial has been punctured, additional precautions are necessary because each withdrawal creates an opportunity for contamination.

• Use within 28 days: For conventional multidose bacteriostatic water, 28 days after first puncture is a commonly used limit unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. Discard the vial after this period, even if some solution remains.
• Maintain aseptic handling: Use clean handling practices and appropriate sterile equipment. Avoid touching the stopper after cleaning it, and never reuse needles or syringes.
• Keep the vial securely closed: Replace the protective cap where applicable and minimise unnecessary exposure to the surrounding environment.
• Inspect before use: Do not use the solution if it becomes cloudy, develops unexpected particles or changes appearance, or if the vial or closure is damaged.
• Do not rely on the preservative alone: Benzyl alcohol helps inhibit bacterial growth but does not eliminate contamination risks or guarantee that the solution remains suitable indefinitely.

Before Preparing a Research Solution

If the vial has been stored at a different temperature from the material being prepared, allow both to reach an appropriate, stable temperature before beginning the procedure, where the relevant protocol permits. This helps minimise temperature-related variation during preparation and reduces the risk of condensation on cold containers.

Once a research compound has been reconstituted, its storage requirements and usable period may differ from those of the bacteriostatic water itself. Follow the compound-specific documentation rather than assuming the 28-day period applies to the resulting solution.

Important: The 28-day period and room-temperature guidance above reflect common instructions for conventional multidose bacteriostatic water. Any product-specific instructions provided with the product should be taken into consideration as these may vary depending on the formulation.

Quality Assurance and Certificates of Analysis

At Crystal Peptides, we believe transparent quality documentation helps researchers make informed purchasing decisions. Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) for Bacteriostatic Water (10ml) are available on the product page and through our Lab Tests page.

Currently, the available analytical testing for this product covers identity verification only. We encourage researchers to review the relevant batch CoA to see the documentation available for their product and understand the scope of testing performed.

We aim to make quality information accessible and straightforward, allowing researchers to review available documentation before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does bacteriostatic water last after opening?

For conventional multidose bacteriostatic water, a 28-day in-use period after first puncture is commonly recommended unless the product documentation specifies otherwise. This is separate from the expiry date, which applies to the unopened product under its specified storage conditions. Follow the applicable product instructions and discard the vial when its permitted in-use period ends, even if some solution remains.

2. Does bacteriostatic water need to be refrigerated?

Not necessarily. Conventional bacteriostatic water can generally be stored at controlled room temperature when the product label permits it. Follow the storage instructions supplied with the specific product, and do not assume that refrigeration extends its permitted in-use period.

3. Why does bacteriostatic water contain benzyl alcohol?

Benzyl alcohol acts as a bacteriostatic preservative, helping inhibit bacterial growth in the solution. This makes bacteriostatic water suitable for appropriately designed multidose applications where a vial may be accessed more than once. However, the preservative does not eliminate contamination risks or replace proper aseptic handling.

4. What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and sterile water?

Bacteriostatic water contains a preservative, commonly benzyl alcohol, that inhibits bacterial growth. Plain sterile water contains no added antimicrobial preservative. This distinction makes bacteriostatic water useful in suitable multidose applications, while sterile water may be preferred when a preservative-free solution is required. The two are not automatically interchangeable, as the appropriate choice depends on the compound and research protocol.

5. Can bacteriostatic water be used with every research peptide?

Not always. Although bacteriostatic water is commonly used as a diluent for compatible research peptides, not every peptide is suitable for a benzyl alcohol-containing solution. Solubility, chemical stability and preservative compatibility can vary between compounds. Some research protocols may instead specify sterile water or an acidic solution, such as Acetic Acid 0.6% Water. Always consult the relevant compound documentation before selecting a diluent.

6. How much bacteriostatic water is needed to reconstitute a research peptide?

There is no universal volume suitable for every peptide. The amount depends on the compound's specifications, the requirements of the research protocol and the concentration needed for the experiment. Consult the relevant technical documentation and work with established lab protocols.

7. How long does a peptide remain stable after reconstitution with bacteriostatic water?

The stability of a reconstituted peptide depends on its chemical properties, formulation and storage conditions, including temperature and exposure to light. Benzyl alcohol helps inhibit bacterial growth but does not guarantee protection against chemical degradation. Consequently, the usable period of a reconstituted peptide may differ from the in-use period of the bacteriostatic water itself. Follow the compound-specific storage and stability guidance.

8. Does Crystal Peptides provide a Certificate of Analysis for BAC Water?

Yes. Crystal Peptides works with recognised analytical labs, such as Janoshik, to conduct independent testing of all products, including Bacteriostatic Water. Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are available on the product page and through our Lab Tests page. Currently, the available analytical testing for Bacteriostatic Water (10ml) covers identity verification only. Please consult the relevant batch CoA to review the test results available for the product.