Melanotan 1 30mg — Vial Spec, Reconstitution Math & COA
This technical dossier provides essential laboratory specifications, reconstitution mathematics, and storage guidance for high-mass Melanotan 1 research vials. Designed specifically for high-throughput screening and long-term animal models, this guide details accurate concentration calculations, aliquot workflows, and analytical quality parameters for researchers evaluating melanocortin receptor agonists.
Quick answer
This technical dossier provides essential laboratory specifications, reconstitution mathematics, and storage guidance for high-mass Melanotan 1 research vials. Designed specifically for high-throughput screening and long-term animal models, this guide details accurate concentration calculations, aliquot workflows, and analytical quality parameters for researchers evaluating melanocortin receptor agonists.
Key takeaways
- A 30mg lyophilized vial of [Melanotan](/research-peptides/melanotan-2) 1 (Afamelanotide / [N-acetyl-Norleucyl-aspartyl-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-arginyl-tryptophyl-lysine]) provides a high-yield peptide reserve intended for high-throughput institutional studies, extended rodent cohort protocols, or multi-plate cell culture assays.
- [Melanotan](/research-peptides/melanotan-2) 1 is a synthetic tridecapeptide analog of endogenous alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).
- Reconstituting a 30mg lyophilized cake requires precise solvent volume selection to achieve target working concentrations.
- Lyophilized [Melanotan](/research-peptides/melanotan-2) 1 powder maintains exceptional physical and chemical stability when stored in dark, desiccated conditions at -20°C to -80°C.
High-Mass Packaging and Catalog Availability Note
A 30mg lyophilized vial of Melanotan 1 (Afamelanotide / [N-acetyl-Norleucyl-aspartyl-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-arginyl-tryptophyl-lysine]) provides a high-yield peptide reserve intended for high-throughput institutional studies, extended rodent cohort protocols, or multi-plate cell culture assays. High-mass vials allow analytical research teams to reconstitute a master batch, minimizing inter-vial variability across prolonged experimental runs. Laboratory personnel handling high-density aliquots benefit from unified baseline concentrations across extensive testing series.
Please note: While PX1 Research synthesizes custom high-mass batches such as 30mg for enterprise and bulk institution orders, our standard catalog stock for individual laboratory evaluations is currently maintained in the Melanotan 1 10mg vial format. Researchers requiring higher volume yields can request custom fill runs or scale their experimental design by utilizing multiple 10mg units from our comprehensive research peptide catalog. All fill sizes, whether custom 30mg lots or standard 10mg units, adhere to identical analytical purity standards.
Biochemical Structure and Melanocortin Receptor Binding Profile
Melanotan 1 is a synthetic tridecapeptide analog of endogenous alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In preclinical research, the native peptide sequence is modified at two key positions—substituting Norleucine for Methionine at position 4 and D-Phenylalanine for L-Phenylalanine at position 7. These chemical modifications confer increased structural stability against enzymatic degradation by serum endopeptidases while enhancing affinity for target melanocortin receptors.
As a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, Melanotan 1 exhibits high affinity primarily for the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), which is heavily expressed on epidermal melanocytes. In vitro data indicate that binding to MC1R stimulates adenylate cyclase activity, triggering downstream intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. Preclinical studies suggest this pathway upregulates the transcription of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin biosynthesis, providing a baseline model for evaluating skin pigmentation responses, UV-radiation cellular stress defense, and receptor kinetics without altering systemic steroidogenesis.
Reconstitution Mathematics for 30mg Vials
Reconstituting a 30mg lyophilized cake requires precise solvent volume selection to achieve target working concentrations. Because high-mass peptide cakes occupy non-negligible displacement volume, diluents must be added slowly along the inner glass wall of the vial using sterile bacteriostatic water or sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4). Researchers can use our interactive reconstitution calculator to quickly verify concentration-to-volume ratios.
To achieve a 30.0 mg/mL (30 µg/µL) concentration, add exactly 1.0 mL of diluent to the 30mg vial. For a 15.0 mg/mL (15 µg/µL) working stock, reconstitute with 2.0 mL of diluent. Adding 3.0 mL of diluent yields a 10.0 mg/mL (10 µg/µL) concentration, whereas 6.0 mL of diluent produces a 5.0 mg/mL (5 µg/µL) solution. For micro-dosing assays in cell cultures or small-animal pipetting, researchers often perform a secondary serial dilution from these primary master stocks to achieve sub-nanomolar concentrations without introducing pipetting volumetric errors.
Aliquot Planning and Long-Term Storage Protocols
Lyophilized Melanotan 1 powder maintains exceptional physical and chemical stability when stored in dark, desiccated conditions at -20°C to -80°C. Upon delivery to the receiving dock, un-reconstituted vials should immediately be logged into the inventory system and transferred to low-temperature freezer storage. Under these dry sub-zero conditions, the peptide maintains structural integrity and prevents hydrolytic degradation over extended shelf lives.
Once reconstituted into a liquid state, the peptide solution becomes substantially more sensitive to thermal and mechanical degradation. High-mass 30mg solutions should never undergo repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as crystal formation breaks peptide bonds and causes aggregation. Laboratory protocols dictate immediately dividing the reconstituted master stock into single-use micro-aliquots using sterile polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes. Liquid aliquots stored at 2°C to 8°C should be consumed within 14 to 21 days, while frozen aliquots stored at -80°C maintain analytical stability for up to 6 months.
Analytical Quality Assurance: COA and Purity Verification
Every production lot of Melanotan 1 synthesized for PX1 Research undergoes rigorous analytical testing at an independent, ISO 17025-accredited testing laboratory. High-mass fills require meticulous quality control to ensure that total peptide content, residual moisture, and purity match identical analytical standards regardless of total vial mass. Principal investigators can review lot-specific documentation via our public COA verification hub.
Purity is quantitatively verified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with Mass Spectrometry (MS) to confirm exact molecular weight (1646.85 g/mol) and identity. Standard PX1 releases require a minimal HPLC purity threshold of ≥98.0%. Furthermore, because melanocortin agonists are routinely introduced to cell culture media or animal tissue models, every batch undergoes chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing to ensure endotoxin levels remain strictly below <0.05 EU/mg, preventing unwanted immune activation or confounding cytokine release in experimental models.
Preclinical Research Applications and In Vitro Assays
In preclinical laboratory settings, Melanotan 1 serves as a benchmark tool for exploring melanocyte biology, melanogenesis regulation, and cellular protection mechanisms. In vitro assays utilizing primary human melanocytes or B16 melanoma cell lines evaluate how Melanotan 1 binding to MC1R induces downstream phosphorylation of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Researchers measure changes in eumelanin versus pheomelanin ratio outputs, tyrosinase enzyme expression, and cellular survival rates following ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Animal study models involving rodent cohorts investigate systemic pigmentation responses, skin barrier morphology, and localized cutaneous reactions. Because the synthetic analog displays extended plasma half-life compared to endogenous α-MSH, researchers utilize the compound to study long-term receptor internalization, desensitization kinetics, and cross-talk between melanocortin signaling pathways and inflammatory signaling cascades in preclinical skin models.
Comparative Analysis: Related Melanocortin Compounds
When designing melanocortin receptor research projects, investigators often evaluate several structurally related peptides within the class to determine the ideal agonist profile for their specific assay. Comparing receptor selectivity, potency, and side-effect profiles in animal models is critical for selecting the proper laboratory reagent. Further mechanistic overviews can be explored within our peptide research hub.
For example, while Melanotan 1 displays high relative selectivity for MC1R involved in skin pigmentation responses, Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide analog that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and demonstrates potent agonism across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Consequently, Melanotan II is frequently selected for central nervous system, metabolic, and sexual behavior studies rather than pure cutaneous pigmentation models. Similarly, PT-141 (Bremelanotide), a metabolite derivative of Melanotan II, displays selective central MC3R and MC4R activation without the strong MC1R-mediated melanogenic response observed with Melanotan 1. Choosing between these compounds depends strictly on whether the research hypothesis targets peripheral melanocyte activation or central melanocortin pathways.
Vial Selection Strategy: 30mg vs. Standard 10mg Fills
Selecting the correct vial size is a crucial decision in experimental design, balancing reagent concentration integrity against batch usage rates. A 30mg vial offers significant convenience for high-volume automated liquid handlers, high-density cell culture screens, or long-term multi-animal dosing cohorts where preparing a single, uniform standard solution reduces operational variation across experimental groups.
Conversely, smaller fill sizes—such as our standard stock Melanotan 1 10mg—are superior for pilot studies, sporadic testing schedules, or small sample cohorts. Smaller vials minimize the duration reconstituted liquid sits in cold storage, eliminating the risk of accidental degradation or repeated room-temperature warming cycles. Laboratories evaluating new assays or working with limited subject sizes generally benefit from ordering multiple 10mg units rather than a single high-density 30mg container.
Institutional Procurement and Quality Control Standards
PX1 Research operates as a dedicated USA-based supplier of high-purity research compounds strictly engineered for laboratory and scientific evaluation. Our manufacturing partners operate GMP-compliant production suites utilizing advanced solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) technology. Every synthesis batch is processed under rigorous quality systems to ensure lot-to-lot consistency, sequence accuracy, and low residual solvent levels.
For university departments, biotechnology organizations, and contract research facilities planning large-scale screening campaigns, PX1 offers custom synthesis and bulk procurement options via our wholesale lab account portal. All orders ship directly from our domestic distribution centers in California and Arizona, offering same-day dispatch for orders finalized before 12:00 PM PST (M–F) to support demanding laboratory timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PX1 Research currently stock Melanotan 1 in a 30mg vial size?
Our standard, off-the-shelf catalog stock for individual research orders is currently maintained in the 10mg fill size. However, 30mg high-mass vials can be produced via custom synthesis runs for high-throughput institutional orders. Researchers requiring immediate fulfillment can order standard 10mg vials from our catalog.
What is the primary research target of Melanotan 1?
Melanotan 1 is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) researched primarily for its selective agonism at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) to investigate skin pigmentation responses, melanocyte biology, and enzymatic tyrosinase regulation.
How much diluent is required to reconstitute a 30mg Melanotan 1 vial to a 10 mg/mL concentration?
To achieve a concentration of 10.0 mg/mL from a 30mg lyophilized vial, add exactly 3.0 mL of sterile bacteriostatic water or sterile PBS.
How should reconstituted Melanotan 1 be stored to maintain maximum stability?
Reconstituted liquid should immediately be sub-aliquoted into single-use microcentrifuge tubes to prevent freeze-thaw cycles. Micro-aliquots can be stored at 2°C to 8°C for up to 21 days or deep-frozen at -80°C for up to 6 months.
What analytical purity standard applies to PX1 Melanotan 1 lots?
Every lot of Melanotan 1 undergoes HPLC and MS testing by an independent ISO 17025 accredited laboratory to verify sequence identity and confirm a minimum HPLC chemical purity of ≥98.0%.
What is the endotoxin limit for PX1 research peptides?
All PX1 research peptides undergo chromogenic LAL endotoxin testing and must test below <0.05 EU/mg to ensure compatibility with sensitive cell cultures and animal models.
How does Melanotan 1 differ mechanistically from Melanotan II?
Melanotan 1 is a linear tridecapeptide with high selectivity for peripheral MC1R receptors involved in skin pigmentation. Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a potent non-selective agonist across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R.
Can Melanotan 1 30mg be used for human administration or clinical trials?
No. All compounds provided by PX1 Research, including Melanotan 1 in any fill size, are strictly manufactured for laboratory research use only in vitro and in preclinical animal models. They are never for human, clinical, or veterinary use.
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All products are sold strictly for laboratory and research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, treatment or consumption. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.