Why it’s called “reconstitution”

Many research compounds are supplied as a dry “cake” or powder to improve stability in storage and shipping. Reconstitution means adding a sterile liquid to return that material to a usable solution for research procedures.

Tip: Always follow the handling and preparation instructions provided by the manufacturer or your lab SOP.

What it typically contains

Reconstitution solution is commonly based on sterile water. Some solutions include a small amount of a bacteriostatic agent to help inhibit bacterial growth after first puncture in multi-use vials.

• Sterile water as the primary solvent
• Bacteriostatic component (when applicable) to support multi-use handling
• Sterile container suitable for laboratory workflows

What it’s used for (in labs)

Reconstitution solution helps labs prepare consistent concentrations, reduce variability between runs, and streamline bench prep. Common contexts include:

• Preparing lyophilized research materials for analytical testing
• Standardizing dilution steps for assays and protocols
• Supporting sterile transfer into secondary containers

How to choose the right vial size

Vial size is usually selected based on your workflow volume, puncture frequency, and storage preferences. Smaller vials can reduce repeated punctures, while larger vials can be convenient for higher-throughput prep.