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Bacteriostatic Water
- Purity
- ≥ 99% HPLC
- Form
- Sterile solution
- Origin
- United States
Manufactured for laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. Read full disclaimer →
Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) used in laboratory settings to reconstitute lyophilised research peptides.
- Sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol
- Multi-dose: the preservative limits microbial growth between entries
- Used to reconstitute lyophilised research peptides
- For laboratory research use only; not for human or veterinary use
What is bacteriostatic water?
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth within the vial and so allows a sealed vial to be entered more than once during laboratory work. It is supplied as a laboratory reagent for research use only. For how it compares with plain sterile water and how it behaves once opened, see our explainer, what is bacteriostatic water.
What is bacteriostatic water used for?
In a research context, bacteriostatic water is used as a diluent to reconstitute lyophilised (freeze-dried) research peptides and other powdered laboratory materials, returning them to a workable solution. The 0.9% benzyl alcohol is what suits it to vials that may be entered more than once. Guidance on handling lyophilised research material is on our reconstitution page. This product is supplied strictly for laboratory research use and is not intended for human or veterinary use, and not for human consumption.
How is the quality and identity of this water assured?
Verify, do not assume. Each batch is supplied with documentation describing its composition, sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol (benzyl alcohol, PubChem CID 244), so the contents are confirmed rather than taken on trust. Where a Certificate of Analysis applies it is available alongside our other documentation at our CoAs page. The standing principle across the catalogue is the same for a diluent as for a compound.
How should bacteriostatic water be stored?
Unopened vials are kept at room temperature, away from light and heat, until the labelled expiry. Once a vial has been opened, the benzyl alcohol is what allows it to be used for repeated laboratory entry rather than discarded after a single use. Keep vials sealed until needed and protect them from contamination during handling.
How long does bacteriostatic water last?
Unopened and correctly stored, bacteriostatic water lasts until its labelled expiry date. After a vial is opened it has a finite working life for laboratory use; no preservative inhibits growth indefinitely, so an opened vial is set aside once its appearance changes or it is no longer fit for laboratory work. This is reagent housekeeping rather than a use instruction.
Supply and reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water is despatched from the UK as a research diluent. It is the companion reagent to lyophilised research peptides such as BPC-157. For background on what this diluent is and how it differs from plain sterile water, see our explainer, what is bacteriostatic water.
External resources for researchers
- Product name
- Bacteriostatic Water
- Synonyms
- Sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol
- Form
- Sterile solution
- Appearance
- Clear, colourless liquid
- Storage
- Store at room temperature, protect from light.
- What is bacteriostatic water?
- Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, a preservative that inhibits bacterial growth inside the vial and so allows a sealed vial to be entered more than once during laboratory work. It is supplied as a laboratory reagent for research use only.
- What is bac water?
- Bac water is a common shorthand for bacteriostatic water. They are the same thing: sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol added as a bacteriostatic preservative, supplied as a research diluent.
- What is sterile water?
- Sterile water is water that has been processed to be free of viable microorganisms but contains no preservative. Bacteriostatic water starts from the same sterile base and then adds 0.9% benzyl alcohol; plain sterile water offers no such protection once the seal is broken.
- What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and sterile water?
- Both are sterile to begin with. The difference is the preservative: bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, whereas plain sterile water has no preservative. A fuller comparison is covered in our explainer, what is bacteriostatic water.
- Why does bacteriostatic water contain benzyl alcohol?
- The 0.9% benzyl alcohol is the bacteriostatic preservative. It is the ingredient that distinguishes bacteriostatic water from plain sterile water and the reason a vial can be entered on more than one occasion during laboratory work.
- What is bacteriostatic water used for?
- In a research setting it is used as a diluent to reconstitute lyophilised (freeze-dried) research peptides and other powdered laboratory materials. It is supplied for research use only.
- How long does bacteriostatic water last?
- Unopened and correctly stored, it lasts until its labelled expiry date. After a vial is opened it has a finite working life for laboratory use, and an opened vial is set aside once its appearance changes or it is no longer fit for laboratory work.
- How should bacteriostatic water be stored?
- Store unopened vials at room temperature, away from light and heat, until the labelled expiry date. Keep vials sealed until needed and protect them from contamination during handling.
- Is bacteriostatic water the same as distilled water?
- No. Distilled water has had its minerals removed but is not guaranteed sterile and contains no preservative. Bacteriostatic water is sterile and contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative, which distilled water does not.
- Is bacteriostatic water intended for human use?
- No. This product is supplied strictly for laboratory research use only. It is not intended for human or veterinary use, not for human consumption, and the buyer is responsible for compliant handling. See our <a href="/research-disclaimer">research disclaimer</a> for the full terms.
- How can I be sure of what is in the vial?
- Verify rather than assume. The composition is documented as sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol (benzyl alcohol, PubChem CID 244), and where a Certificate of Analysis applies it is available alongside our documentation at our CoAs page so the contents are confirmed rather than taken on trust.
- Where can I buy bacteriostatic water in the UK?
- Kovalabs supplies bacteriostatic water as a research diluent with UK despatch. It is sold for laboratory research use only and is commonly ordered alongside lyophilised research peptides that require reconstitution.
- What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and water for injection?
- Water for injection is a single-use grade of purified water with no preservative. Bacteriostatic water starts from sterile water and adds 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative, which lets a sealed vial be entered more than once during laboratory work. Both are supplied as laboratory reagents for research use only, not for human consumption.
- What is the difference between bacteriostatic water and bacteriostatic saline?
- Both are sterile and contain 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a bacteriostatic preservative. The difference is the base: bacteriostatic water is purified water plus the preservative, whereas bacteriostatic saline also contains sodium chloride (salt). Kovalabs supplies bacteriostatic water as a research diluent, for laboratory research use only, not for human consumption.
No third-party batch reports have been uploaded for this product yet. Reports are issued by independent labs after each manufacturing batch.
Calculator
Research planning only
Concentration2.50 mg/ml
Volume to draw0.100 ml
Insulin syringe (100 IU/ml)
10.0units
For research planning only. Not medical, dosing, or therapeutic advice. All Kovalabs products are research-use-only.
Store unreconstituted vials at −20°C for long-term, or refrigerated at 2-8°C for short-term use. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water down the inside wall of the vial; gently swirl to dissolve. Do not shake.
Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2-8°C and use within 2-4 weeks. Discard if cloudy, discoloured, or particulate.