Storage & Handling Best Practices for Reference Materials

The analytical value of a reference standard depends on maintaining its integrity from the moment it leaves the testing lab to the moment it enters your assay. Four environmental factors dominate stability.

Temperature

Most lyophilized peptides and reference standards are best stored desiccated at -20°C for long-term stability. Reconstituted solutions are far less stable and should be used promptly or aliquoted and frozen.

Moisture

Peptide powders are hygroscopic. Keep vials tightly sealed with desiccant and equilibrate to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation from forming inside the vial.

Light

Certain sequences and chelated complexes (for example, copper peptides) are photosensitive. Store these in amber vials or a dark environment to prevent photodegradation.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Each freeze-thaw cycle stresses the molecule. Aliquoting reconstituted material into single-use volumes is the single most effective way to preserve potency and analytical consistency over time.

Following these practices keeps your material matched to its Certificate of Analysis for the full documented shelf life.