Introduction
Bacteriostatic water is a staple in laboratories across Europe, valued for its sterility and extended shelf life. But How to Use Bacteriostatic Water correctly in day-to-day protocols?
This guide explains the most common laboratory uses, step-by-step handling practices, and key compliance notes for safe and effective application.
(Reminder: All Herbilabs products are for Research Use Only (RUO) — not for human or veterinary use.)
Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation
- Work in a clean, sterile environment (biosafety cabinet if required).
- Disinfect surfaces and ensure sterile instruments are available.
Step 2: Inspect the Vial
- Check that the vial is within its expiry date.
- Ensure the seal, stopper, and cap are intact.
- Do not use if cloudy or damaged.
Step 3: Withdrawal Technique
- Disinfect the stopper with sterile alcohol swab.
- Use a sterile syringe or pipette to withdraw the required volume.
- Avoid touching the stopper with unsterile objects.
Step 4: Application in Protocols
Bacteriostatic water is commonly used for:
- Reconstitution of lyophilized powders
- Dilution of reagents or samples
- Short-term storage of reconstituted substances
- Assay preparation
Step 5: Reseal & Store Properly
- Ensure the stopper is resealed tightly.
- Store upright at room temperature (15–30°C).
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
- Discard after 28 days once opened, or earlier if SOPs require.
FAQ
How to Use Bacteriostatic Water for injections?
You shouldn’t. All Herbilabs products are RUO only, not for medical or veterinary use.
Why not use sterile water instead?
Sterile water is single-use. Bacteriostatic water allows multiple withdrawals due to the 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative.
Does every lab protocol allow bacteriostatic water?
Not always — some experiments prohibit preservatives. Always follow SOPs.
Compliance Reminder
Herbilabs bacteriostatic water is supplied strictly for Research Use Only (RUO). Not for human or veterinary use.
Conclusion
How to Use Bacteriostatic Water in lab protocols – By following aseptic handling and proper storage, bacteriostatic water can be safely used across a range of lab protocols. Its multi-use design makes it efficient, reliable, and cost-effective for research workflows.
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