Filtering and contamination.

[articfox]

I am wondering even though you are trying to take the right steps, you could be raising the odds with contamination.

1. The new vile is not sterile, it’s been accidentally contaminated.
2. The filter for pin/pen is contaminated.
3. Your procedure in the filtering and handling is not up to standard.

The chances would be a lot lower if you have a flow hood, auto clave and some lab infection control protocols.

How far do you go ?

 

[Sasquatch]

I think it's a good thing to consider all of the above. Can you afford an autoclave? Flow hood can be made possibly? What about gloves? Fans? What about UV or Ozone? A clean room? What about damaging your peptides? This is a springboard to one's own journey. Make your world how you want it.

Ima sasquatch. If I told you what I do personally, it would not be helpful.😉

 

[articfox]

Ive got all the equipment, but Im an arctic cat 😀

 

[timj382]

I am wondering even though you are trying to take the right steps, you could be raising the odds with contamination.

1. The new vile is not sterile, it’s been accidentally contaminated.
2. The filter for pin/pen is contaminated.
3. Your procedure in the filtering and handling is not up to standard.

The chances would be a lot lower if you have a flow hood, auto clave and some lab infection control protocols.

How far do you go ?

I appreciate you asking some of the questions I have.

I've yet to filter at all. As I attempt to research what filtering even is, the first thing I see is the peptide being placed in another container of whatever variety, but now it's not sterile. As the OP says. My saving grace is that the sealed vials are… sealed. I never store or reuse a needle. Everything gets alcohol-wiped. Nothing is used twice. The idea of taking the liquid out of the sealed vial gives me hives. I'm sure there are super-clever ways (the OP seems to hint at these methods, but I have only the vaguest concept of only some of the things OP mentions).

Here's my question: What is the virtue of filtering? Pretend you've done it perfectly somehow (though I highly doubt that, personally, I will ever be equipped to do it perfectly). What is the benefit? What toxins are potentially lingering in my unfiltered gray peptides from China?

 

[timj382]

Ive got all the equipment, but Im an arctic cat 😀

Would you be willing to share what "all the equipment" entails?

 

[articfox]

Would you be willing to share what "all the equipment" entails?

Your best to study this topic and research it heavily, I am not comfortable giving you information when honestly I am just a novice. Use the search function and look on youtube 👌

 

[timj382]

Your best to study this topic and research it heavily, I am not comfortable giving you information when honestly I am just a novice. Use the search function and look on youtube 👌

Fair enough. Here's why I'm asking. Unless you have a lab and a laminar flow hood (I have nothing like that nor do I have access to it), this process sounds fraught af. Also, even though you may strain out bacteria that somehow snuck into the vial, and even if you do have a laminar flow hood, the bigger fear of endotoxins is not solved by filtering. Here's what I found in the research I'm doing and feel free to set me straight because I'm relatively new to this too. "Only specialized positively charged filters (like 'Mustang E' or 'Charged Durapor') can trap endotoxins via electrical attraction."

I have a kitchen counter and a fridge. And if I had this intricate equipment, I would almost certainly screw it up. I think, at least for me, the dangers introduced by filtering far outweigh the dangers filtering is trying to remove. Again, anyone knowledgeable, please feel free to correct me. I'm trying to learn and I genuinely welcome the correction.

But what I think I might be starting to find out is that filtering is pretty much just not worth it for the vast majority of us who aren't scientists to begin with.

 

[articfox]

Here's my question: What is the virtue of filtering? Pretend you've done it perfectly somehow (though I highly doubt that, personally, I will ever be equipped to do it perfectly). What is the benefit? What toxins are potentially lingering in my unfiltered gray peptides from China?

Main reasons peptides are filtered

1. Remove bacteria and contaminants

• Peptides are often reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water.
• Filtering (usually with a 0.22-micron sterile filter) helps remove bacteria and particulates that may have been introduced during handling or mixing.
• This is especially important if the peptide is being stored and reused.

2. Improve sterility after reconstitution

• Even if the peptide powder was sterile, the moment it’s mixed, sterility can be compromised.
• Filtering reduces infection risk by acting as a final sterilization step.

3. Remove undissolved particles

• Some peptides don’t fully dissolve or may contain microscopic solids from manufacturing or vial stoppers.
• Filtering prevents these particles from remaining in solution.

4. Reduce injection-site reactions

• Particulates or bacterial contamination can cause redness, swelling, or irritation.
• Filtered solutions are generally smoother and better tolerated.

5. Quality control for research accuracy

• In lab settings, contaminants can interfere with experiments and data.
• Filtering helps ensure consistency and repeatability.

 

[timj382]

Main reasons peptides are filtered

1. Remove bacteria and contaminants

• Peptides are often reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water.
• Filtering (usually with a 0.22-micron sterile filter) helps remove bacteria and particulates that may have been introduced during handling or mixing.
• This is especially important if the peptide is being stored and reused.

2. Improve sterility after reconstitution

• Even if the peptide powder was sterile, the moment it’s mixed, sterility can be compromised.
• Filtering reduces infection risk by acting as a final sterilization step.

3. Remove undissolved particles

• Some peptides don’t fully dissolve or may contain microscopic solids from manufacturing or vial stoppers.
• Filtering prevents these particles from remaining in solution.

4. Reduce injection-site reactions

• Particulates or bacterial contamination can cause redness, swelling, or irritation.
• Filtered solutions are generally smoother and better tolerated.

5. Quality control for research accuracy

• In lab settings, contaminants can interfere with experiments and data.
• Filtering helps ensure consistency and repeatability.

Appreciate that comprehensive and very useful answer. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[miss-sanne]

I am wondering even though you are trying to take the right steps, you could be raising the odds with contamination.

1. The new vile is not sterile, it’s been accidentally contaminated.
2. The filter for pin/pen is contaminated.
3. Your procedure in the filtering and handling is not up to standard.

The chances would be a lot lower if you have a flow hood, auto clave and some lab infection control protocols.

How far do you go ?

I'm not a pharmacy, the second I decided to do grey, I accepted, this is not sterile, it never will be.
I do filter though, I do use 10 or more needles per recon, and I practised sterile tecniques in my earlier work life because of operating on patients, so I do feel ok safe.

 

[Dos-Dox]

the first thing I see is the peptide being placed in another container of whatever variety, but now it's not sterile. As the OP says. My saving grace is that the sealed vials are… sealed.

There have been several rounds of sterility testing done on the commonly available brands of vials (available retail) advertised as sterile. While you can never be sure that every vial in the package you bought is sterile, it does at least give you an idea on a manufacturer’s track record.

As others have stated, the topic of filtering is covered very frequently and searching that keyword will give everyone hours worth of reading to enjoy.

 

[Gr33dyOctopus]

So, I use a clear plastic tub on its side. Many years ago I use to grow mushrooms and dealt with spores, syringes and cultures. If you fuck up and contaminated the batch, it takes over quickly and ruins all your work.

So without a flow hood, you want the air extremely still. I use the bin so as little as possible drifts through the air downward and lands on my syringe/vial. One of the tricks is to move quickly as possible but in s steady measured movement. The less time any thing that may contam a vial.or syringe the better.

Really, i think a serious contamination in your vial is pretty visible. Once shit starts growing in a vial once you hold it up to the light youll.see it. And if your unsure, let the vial.sit a bit more and see if whatever is inside grows larger.

I opt not to filter, its extra steps, extra chance of contam, and apparently I like to live dangerously. If I hold that vial up and see anything in it thats not clear, such as a black speck, or even white specks, i will and have tossed vials. They are relatively cheap, this is a hobby and i could care less, will just buy more.