Peptides are generally shipped at room temperature and are usually most stable in lyophilized form when kept sealed and dry. For best long-term stability, they should not be kept in solution for long periods unless the application specifically requires it.
For long-term storage, peptides should be stored in lyophilized form at -20°C, or preferably at -80°C, with desiccant in sealed containers to minimize degradation.
Dry storage helps reduce bacterial degradation, oxidation, and unwanted structural changes that can occur more easily in solution.
Peptides are commonly shipped at room temperature because they are generally stable in lyophilized form for transit, especially when protected from moisture.
Once reconstituted, many peptides become more vulnerable to degradation, oxidation, or aggregation, so solution storage should be minimized when possible.
It is better to equilibrate the peptide to room temperature, preferably in a desiccator, before opening or weighing. Peptides are often hygroscopic, and opening a cold vial too soon can allow condensation to form on the material, reducing stability.
Let the peptide warm to room temperature before opening. This simple step helps prevent condensation and unnecessary moisture exposure.
Before reconstitution, centrifuge the vial of lyophilized peptide at about 12,000 g for around 20 seconds. This helps pellet the full peptide sample to the bottom of the vial and makes reconstitution more consistent.
Weigh out the required quantity rapidly and return unused peptide to cold storage promptly. Repeated exposure to room air, moisture, and repeated handling can reduce long-term stability.
| Handling step | Practical recommendation |
|---|---|
| Before opening | Allow the vial to reach room temperature, ideally in a desiccator |
| Before reconstitution | Centrifuge briefly to collect the full sample at the bottom of the vial |
| During weighing | Work quickly and return unused material to cold storage |
| Long-term storage | Store lyophilized at -20°C or preferably -80°C with desiccant in sealed containers |
Some peptide sequences are more sensitive than others. Sequences containing cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, asparagine, glutamine, and N-terminal glutamic acid may have shorter shelf life than more stable sequences, especially under less controlled storage conditions.
Storage and handling become more important when the peptide is oxidation-sensitive, hygroscopic, repeatedly used, or likely to degrade more quickly in solution.
Analyze your sequence to better understand handling sensitivity:
If you need help planning storage, aliquoting, or reconstitution for a specific peptide sequence, please email sales@lifetein.com or use our quotation form.