Research Peptide FAQ
Ordering and Shipping
What forms of payment do you accept?
You can view current payment options during checkout.
How are peptides shipped?
All orders ship in insulated packaging designed to protect lyophilized peptides during transit. Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are stable at ambient temperatures for the duration of standard shipping. Vials are individually sealed and cushioned to prevent breakage. Orders typically ship within 1-2 business days.
Do peptides need to be shipped cold?
No. Lyophilized peptides are in their most stable form — dry powder with virtually no moisture content. They can tolerate room temperature conditions for the duration of transit (typically 2-5 days) without meaningful degradation. Once received, transfer them to refrigerator (2-8°C) or freezer (-20°C) storage promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
Heritage Labs USA currently ships within the United States. International shipping availability varies — check the checkout page for current shipping destinations or contact our support team for specific inquiries.
Can I track my order?
Yes. A tracking number is provided via email once your order ships. You can use this number to monitor delivery status through the carrier's website.
Storage and Handling
How should I store lyophilized peptides?
Store sealed, lyophilized peptides at -20°C (freezer) for maximum long-term stability — up to 2 or more years. Refrigerator storage (2-8°C) is suitable for 6-12 months. Keep vials in a dark location or wrap in foil to protect from UV light. Do not open the sealed vial until you are ready to reconstitute. For complete storage guidance, see our Peptide Storage Guide.
How long do reconstituted peptides last?
When reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and stored refrigerated at 2-8°C, most peptides remain stable for 21-28 days. Reconstituted with sterile water (no preservative), use within 24-48 hours. Always label vials with the reconstitution date.
Can I freeze reconstituted peptides?
Yes, but only if you divide the solution into single-use aliquots before freezing. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles form ice crystals that physically damage peptide molecules. Frozen aliquots of BAC water-reconstituted peptide can last 2-3 months at -20°C. Never refreeze a thawed aliquot.
What are the signs of a degraded peptide?
Visible indicators include cloudiness or haziness in the reconstituted solution, floating particulate matter, color change (most peptide solutions should be clear and colorless), and difficulty dissolving the lyophilized powder. If any of these are present, discard the vial and reconstitute a fresh one.
Do I need bacteriostatic water or sterile water?
For multi-use use (drawing from the same vial over days or weeks), use bacteriostatic water — the 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative inhibits bacterial growth. For single-use applications where the entire volume is consumed at once, sterile water is acceptable. See our Bacteriostatic Water Guide for a full comparison.
Purity and Testing
What purity are Heritage Labs peptides?
Heritage Labs peptides are research-grade compounds verified by third-party HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) analysis. Purity results are documented on each product's Certificate of Analysis. Most Heritage Labs peptides test at 98% purity or higher by HPLC.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A COA is a document from an analytical laboratory that reports the identity, purity, and quality test results for a specific product batch. It includes HPLC chromatograms, mass spectrometry data, and other relevant analytical results. For a detailed explanation of how to read and evaluate a COA, see our Guide to Reading a COA.
Where can I find COAs for Heritage Labs products?
All Certificates of Analysis are published in our COA Portal. COAs are available for every product and are updated with each new production batch.
Does Heritage Labs use third-party testing?
Yes. Heritage Labs uses independent, third-party analytical laboratories for HPLC purity analysis and mass spectrometry identity confirmation. Third-party testing eliminates conflict of interest and provides objective verification of product quality. The testing laboratory is identified on each COA.
What testing methods are used?
The two primary methods are Reversed-Phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) for purity determination and Mass Spectrometry (MS) for molecular identity confirmation. HPLC measures what percentage of the sample is the target compound. Mass spectrometry confirms that the compound has the correct molecular weight. Together, they verify both purity and identity. Learn more in our HPLC Testing Guide.
What does "research grade" mean?
Research grade indicates the peptide is manufactured and tested to a standard suitable for in vitro and laboratory research applications. This includes verified identity by mass spectrometry, purity verification by HPLC (typically ≥98%), and documentation via a Certificate of Analysis.
Solvents and Reconstitution
How do I reconstitute a lyophilized peptide?
Inject your chosen solvent (typically bacteriostatic water) slowly along the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder. Swirl gently to dissolve. Do not shake or vortex. The process takes 30-60 seconds for most peptides. For the complete protocol with concentration calculations, see our Reconstitution Guide.
How much solvent should I add?
The volume depends on your desired concentration. A common starting point is 1 mL or 2 mL of bacteriostatic water per vial. For a 5 mg peptide reconstituted with 1 mL, the concentration is 5,000 mcg/mL (50 mcg per unit on a standard insulin syringe). For 2 mL, it would be 2,500 mcg/mL (25 mcg per unit). Our Reconstitution Guide includes a full concentration table.
What is acetic acid water used for?
Acetic acid water (0.6% glacial acetic acid) is used for peptides that are poorly soluble at neutral pH. If a peptide forms a cloudy suspension or precipitate when mixed with bacteriostatic water or sterile water, it likely requires an acidic solvent. The product page or COA will specify when acetic acid water is recommended.
Can I use the same syringe to draw from multiple vials?
No. Always use a new, sterile syringe and needle for each vial. Reusing syringes risks cross-contamination between vials and introduces bacteria. Insulin syringes are inexpensive — never compromise sterility to save on supplies.
What if the peptide won't dissolve?
Continue gentle swirling for up to 5 minutes. If the peptide still does not dissolve, do not shake or vortex. The most common cause is using the wrong solvent — some peptides require acetic acid water instead of bacteriostatic water. Check the product documentation. If the correct solvent is being used and dissolution still fails, the peptide may have absorbed moisture during storage, causing irreversible aggregation.
Where can I purchase reconstitution supplies?
Heritage Labs carries bacteriostatic water (3 mL and 10 mL vials) and acetic acid water (3 mL) in the Heritage Labs shop. Insulin syringes and alcohol swabs are available at most pharmacies.