Reconstitution

Reconstitution is the process of returning a lyophilised peptide cake to a usable liquid form by adding a sterile diluent (typically bacteriostatic water for injection — 0.9% benzyl alcohol). Standard practice: add the diluent slowly down the side of the vial onto the cake (not directly onto it), then swirl gently — never shake. The solution should clear within a few minutes; cloudy or coloured solutions indicate problems. Reconstituted peptides have shorter shelf life than lyophilised — typically 4 weeks refrigerated at 2–8 °C.