What is bacteriostatic water?
Bacteriostatic means the water does not reliably kill bacteria but stops them multiplying, thanks to 0.9 % benzyl alcohol. The water is filled sterile into a vial closed with a rubber septum for repeated withdrawal.
Bacteriostatic or sterile water?
Sterile water contains no additive and is meant for a single withdrawal. Bacteriostatic water suits vials used over several days. For cell experiments where benzyl alcohol could interfere, or peptides that tolerate it poorly, sterile water is the better choice. More in What is bacteriostatic water?.
Storage and use in the lab
Store unopened at room temperature, protected from light. Multi-dose vials are typically used for up to 28 days after first piercing; disinfect the septum before each withdrawal. The peptide calculator works out the volume for a target concentration. For laboratory use only, not for human use.
