Bacteriostatic vs Sterile Water
Which diluent belongs in your reconstitution protocol.
Both are used to reconstitute research materials, but they behave differently once the vial is opened.
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Bacteriostatic water | Sterile water |
|---|---|---|
| Contains preservative | Yes — benzyl alcohol ~0.9% | No |
| Multi-draw storage | Supports repeated draws | Single-use |
| Typical research use | Reconstituting multi-use vials | One-time dilutions |
| After opening | Refrigerate and re-use | Discard per protocol |
Which to choose
For a vial you will draw from more than once, bacteriostatic water is the standard choice. Sterile water suits single-use dilutions where no storage is needed.
Get research-ready
Every compound we carry ships lyophilized with its batch Certificate of Analysis.
For research use only. This guide describes laboratory handling of research materials and is not medical, dosing, or usage advice. Products are not for human or veterinary use.