How Long Do Peptides Last?

The peptides have become very interesting because of their distinct biological role and huge applicability potential. It doesn't just depend on the type of peptide, but also on how it is stored. It is very important to investigate the stability of peptides in diverse environments to ensure their function and usefulness and also to provide theory for science and industrial production.

How Long Do Peptides Last at Room Temperature?

The peptides are stable at room temperature but depending on the peptide and storage conditions, this may be different. Lyophilized peptides generally store at room temperature for weeks to months (depending on the peptide and its storage).

With multiple sources of proof, the shelf life of lyophilized peptides is 2-3 weeks at room temperature. Some lyophilized peptides, for instance, will store for weeks at room temperature (which is realistic if you're only using them temporarily).

However, in the case of some specific peptides (methionine or cysteine), their stability might be subject to chemical reactions like oxidation. Methionine-based peptides, for instance, might oxidize more in one month of room temperature storage.

Moreover, it's been observed in some studies that some peptides will even persist for more time at room temperature. A previous study, for instance, reported that some peptide vaccines last up to three months at room temperature.

In general, lyophilized peptides should be stable at room temperature for a few weeks to a few months (the exact time period will need to be considered with each peptide and storage).

Storage Recommendations

Lyophilized peptides: Lyophilized peptides are stable for a few days to a week at room temperature, but long-term storage is not recommended. If long-term storage is required, the best way is to store it at a temperature of -20°C or lower.

Avoid humidity effects: Before exposing lyophilized peptides to air, it is recommended to equilibrate them to room temperature under dry conditions to reduce the effect of humidity on stability. After opening the lid, it should be weighed and sealed quickly to avoid deliquescent.

Peptides in a dissolved state: The dissolved peptide solution is not stable, and it is recommended to store at -20°C or lower after aliquoting to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Effect of specific amino acids: Peptides containing easily oxidized amino acids such as Cys, Met, and Trp have poor stability at room temperature, and it is recommended to store them in an oxygen-free environment.

Transport and short-term storage: Peptides can be transported at room temperature for short periods of time, but it is best to return to cold conditions as soon as possible.

Special precautions: For some specific peptides (e.g., peptides containing Gln or Asn), the shelf life is short, and special attention should be paid to storage conditions.

When storing peptides at room temperature, care should be taken to avoid the influence of humidity and light, and try to use them for a short time or resume low-temperature storage as soon as possible. For long-term storage, the best way is to store it at a temperature of -20°C or lower.

How Long Do Peptides Last in the Fridge?

The shelf life of a peptide in the refrigerator depends on its form and storage conditions. Here is a summary of the storage time of peptides in different situations:

Lyophilized Peptides

Lyophilized peptides are stable for several weeks at room temperature, and if long-term storage is required, it is recommended to store them in the refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C), where they can usually remain stable for a year or more.

If longer storage is required, lyophilized peptides can also be stored at -20°C or lower, which can remain stable for several years.

Reconstituted Peptides

The reconstituted peptide is usually only stable for about a week at 4°C. Peptides reconstituted with bacterial inhibition water can remain active for up to four weeks in a refrigerator between 2 °C and 8 °C.

In general, the time for a reconstituted peptide to be stored in the refrigerator ranges from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the peptide sequence and storage conditions.

Storage Recommendations

• Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as this may disrupt the structure of the peptide and affect its function.
• Avoid light and minimize contact with air when storing to prevent degradation.
• Lyophilized peptides are stable for months to years in the freezer, while dissolved peptides are typically only stable for a few days to weeks in the freezer. Storage time and stability will vary depending on the specific sequence of the peptide and storage conditions.

How Long Do Peptides Last in Powder Form?

The shelf life of peptide powder depends on the storage conditions. In general, lyophilized peptide powder can be stored at -20°C for about 1 year and at -80°C for about 3 years. In addition, some evidence suggests that lyophilized peptide powders can be stored stably for 2-3 weeks at room temperature, but long-term storage still requires low temperature conditions. In general, peptide powders can usually be stored at -20°C for 1 year, and at -80°C for longer, or even several years.

How Long Do Lyophilized Peptides Last?

The shelf life of lyophilized peptides varies depending on storage conditions and the characteristics of the peptide. The following is a summary of the stability of lyophilized peptides:

General stability: Most lyophilized peptides remain stable for several years under proper storage conditions. For example, an unopened lyophilized peptide can be stored at -20°C for several years, while it may remain stable for several weeks at room temperature.

Influencing Factors

Temperature effects: Lyophilized peptides can usually remain stable for a few weeks at room temperature, but after this time, stability gradually decreases. When stored in the refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C), the stability of lyophilized peptides can be extended from a few months to one year. When stored at lower temperatures (e.g., -80°C), the stability of lyophilized peptides can be significantly extended for several years.

Effects of specific amino acids: Peptides containing certain amino acids (e.g., Cys, Met, Trp) are susceptible to oxidation and need to be stored under anaerobic conditions to maintain stability.

Humidity and light: Lyophilized peptides should be avoided from exposure to high humidity and bright light, as these factors may accelerate the degradation process.

Repeated freeze-thaw cycles: Repeated freeze-thaw processes can accelerate peptide degradation and are therefore recommended to be avoided as much as possible.

Special Case: Some studies have shown that certain lyophilized peptide mixtures can be stable for up to 17 years under certain conditions.

The shelf life of lyophilized peptides can range from a few weeks to several years, depending on the storage conditions and the characteristics of the peptide. To ensure optimal stability, it is recommended to store at low temperatures and avoid repeated freeze-thaw and light exposure.

Precautions

Storage of lyophilized peptides requires a series of precautions to ensure their stability and activity. The following precautions and recommendations for lyophilized peptide storage:

Temperature control: Lyophilized peptides should be stored at -20°C or lower to avoid degradation and bacterial contamination. If possible, the best storage temperature is -80°C, which maximizes the stability of lyophilized peptides. Avoid using a frost-free freezer, as the automatic defrost cycle can cause temperature fluctuations that can affect the stability of the peptide.

Protected from light and sealed: Lyophilized peptides should be stored in an environment protected from light to prevent light-induced oxidation and degradation. Use a well-sealed container, such as a high-density polypropylene tube or glass bottle, and make sure the cap is well-sealed. For peptides containing easily oxidizing amino acids (e.g., Cys, Met, Trp), it is recommended to store them under an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen or argon) to reduce the risk of oxidation.

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles: Lyophilized peptides should be avoided as much as possible from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as this increases their vulnerability to degradation. Preheat the lyophilized peptide vial to room temperature before it needs to be used, then quickly weigh the desired amount and reseal.

Container Selection: The container in which lyophilized peptides are stored should be transparent, clean, and sturdy to resist chemical attack. Glass bottles and polypropylene bottles are commonly used storage containers, among which glass bottles are more suitable for long-term storage, but their fragility needs to be noted.

Aliquot and dissolve: If frequent use of lyophilized peptides is required, it is recommended to aliquot them into small aliquots and store them frozen to reduce the risk of contamination and degradation from repeated bottle opening. When solubilizing lyophilized peptides, use sterile distilled or deionized water, and avoid containers (e.g., polystyrene containers) that may adsorb peptides.

Treatment of special amino acids: Peptides containing cysteine, tryptophan, or methionine are susceptible to oxidation, so special attention should be paid to an anaerobic environment and rapid handling during storage and dissolution.

Other Notes: Allow the vial to warm naturally to room temperature before opening the vial to prevent condensation from entering the vial. Use Teflon-coated tools and anti-static weigh boats to reduce the effects of static electricity during operation.

By following the above precautions, the shelf life of lyophilized peptides can be effectively extended and their activity maintained, thus ensuring the effectiveness of experimental or clinical applications.

How Long Do Reconstituted Peptides Last?

The shelf life of recombinant peptides depends on a variety of factors, including the type of peptide, storage conditions, and whether stabilizers or preservatives are added. In general, recombinant peptides can remain active for weeks to months under appropriate storage conditions (e.g., refrigerated at 2-8°C).

General conditions: Most recombinant peptides remain active for 2 to 8 weeks under refrigerated conditions (2-8°C). Its stability may be reduced if stored in poor conditions, such as temperature fluctuations or exposure to light.

Shelf-life under specific conditions: Peptides reformulated with bacteriostatic water can remain active for up to 4 weeks under refrigerated conditions. In some cases, recombinant peptides can be stored at 4 °C for up to 30 days.

If longer storage is required, recombinant peptides can be frozen below -20°C, which can extend their stability to several months.

Influencing Factors

Types of peptides: The stability of different types of peptides (e.g., basic, acidic, hydrophobic, and hydrophilic) may vary under the same storage conditions, but are typically between 2-8 weeks.

Storage conditions: Avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles and light exposure is key to prolonging the stability of recombinant peptides.

Solvent selection: The use of appropriate solvents, such as sterile water or antibacterial water, is critical to maintaining the structural integrity and biological activity of the peptide.

Precautions

To extend the shelf life of recombinant peptides, it is recommended to store them in aliquots in airtight containers to reduce exposure to air and contaminants.

Avoid exposing recombinant peptides to high temperatures or direct sunlight, as these conditions can accelerate the degradation process.

The shelf life of recombinant peptides is typically between a few weeks and months, depending on storage conditions and the type of peptide. Following proper storage and handling guidelines can significantly extend its shelf life.

How Long Do Peptides Last in Your System?

The length of stay in the body of a peptide varies depending on a variety of factors, including the type of peptide, the dosage, the metabolic rate of the individual, and whether or not it has been chemically modified, among other things. In general, the half-life of an unmodified linear peptide in the blood may be only a few minutes to a few hours, for example, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has a half-life of about 7 minutes. However, the half-life of the peptide can be significantly extended by chemical modification or binding to serum albumin. For example, certain modified peptides can stay in the body for several days.

Specifically, some studies have pointed out that modified peptides, such as those bound to serum albumin, can stay in the body for a longer period of time, even up to a few days. In addition, certain peptides can remain stable for months or even years under certain conditions, such as refrigerated or frozen storage.

Table.1 GLP-1 / GLP-2 related products at Creative Peptides.

Table.2 Peptide modification services at Creative Peptides.

Summary

Systematically understanding the stability and influencing factors of peptides at room temperature, refrigerator, freezing and other conditions can provide scientific guidance for the storage and use of peptide drugs. This not only improves the efficiency of peptide research, but also lays the foundation for the development and promotion of new drugs, and promotes the faster development of the biomedical field.

Reference

1. Pei, Jingyan, et al., Advances in the stability challenges of bioactive peptides and improvement strategies. Current Research in Food Science 5 (2022): 2162-2170.