Do You Filter Your Peptides Before Use?

[AndyPanda]

I didnt know that the easy touch syringes come apart like the luer lock? I thought I needed those. Also Do the blunt syringes pierce the vial stoppers? I assumed not..

The regular EasyTouch diabetic syringes don’t come apart. I buy their syringe barrels and hypodermics separate.

 

[keangkong]

Hey everyone,

I've been diving deep into peptide handling protocols lately and wanted to start a discussion about something that seems simple but could make a huge difference in your research: Do you filter your reconstituted peptides before use, or do you use them as is?

Why This Matters:
For those just getting started with peptides, filtering might seem like an extra, unnecessary step. However, it's actually crucial for several reasons:

• Safety First: Unfiltered peptides may contain bacteria, particulate matter, or manufacturing residues that could cause infection, inflammation, or adverse reactions when used in research settings.
• Protecting Your Investment: Quality peptides aren't cheap! Using them without proper filtration is like buying premium fuel for your car but pouring it through a dirty funnel. You're compromising what you paid for.

The Real Value:
When you filter your reconstituted peptides through a proper 0.22 μm syringe filter, you're:

• Removing potentially harmful bacteria and particles that could cause injection site reactions or infections
• Maximizing the purity of your product, which directly translates to more reliable outcomes
• Protecting yourself from potential contaminants introduced during manufacturing or shipping

Beginner-Friendly Best Practices:
If you're new to this, here's what you need to know:

What to Buy:

• Get sterile 0.22 μm syringe filters (PES/Polyethersulfone filters are best as they don't absorb your peptides)
• Make sure you have sterile syringes to use with the filters
• Consider the volume you'll be filtering (smaller 4mm filters for under 4ml, larger 13mm filters for more)

Simple Process:

1. Draw your reconstituted peptide into a sterile syringe
2. Attach the filter to the syringe
3. Slowly push the liquid through the filter into your sterile storage vial
4. Label appropriately with contents and date

Remember that filtering is not just a "nice to have" but a fundamental step that separates proper research protocols from potentially dangerous shortcuts. The small investment in filters (usually $1-2 each) provides enormous value in terms of safety.

Has anyone here experienced noticeable differences between filtered and unfiltered peptides (especially with overseas purchases)? Or perhaps you've always filtered but weren't sure why it matters? I'd love to hear your experiences!

I don't filter. I've never heard of any research suggesting that my risk of infection would be significantly reduced by filtering. Some of the benefits that you claim do not, in my admittedly not scientific brain, make much sense. For instance, maximizing the purity of the product seems unlikely: Anything small enough to pass through the filter no matter how impure will get through. The purity numbers that the testing companies provide can be deceiving, however the testing companies will tell you that they only test for things that are close to the target peptide. They don't test for cyanide, for instance. I'm not suggesting any of the Chinese vendors are likely to give you cyanide; that seems more likely something that an American would do.

 

[keangkong]

Hospira recommends against refrigeration because they want you to throw the bottle out after a single use. Refrigeration extends benzyl alcohol potency from about 28 days to 6weeks or more based in published studies. Syringe filtering grey market stuff is utterly critical to maintain safety from stray particles and bacterial contamination. You can get away with stabbing yourself with dirty needles many times, but eventually you’ll get the crud.

Hospira recommends against refrigeration of pure BAC water because the solution is actually more antibacterial at room temperature; the alchohol is less effective at killing and denaturing when it's colder. That's why you don't need to refrigerate. However, peptides are preserved better when refrigerated than at room temperature.

 

[FlowerFairy]

I didnt know that the easy touch syringes come apart like the luer lock? I thought I needed those. Also Do the blunt syringes pierce the vial stoppers? I assumed not..

You don’t need them for vials- you use the 4mm or 13mm syringes to filter from vials. The blunt tips are to filter glass out of the liquid you draw out of glass ampules.