SS-31 10mg — Vial Spec, Reconstitution Math & COA

A 10mg vial of SS-31 (Elamipretide) provides a high-yield unit of the mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide engineered for high-throughput cell culture, isolated organelle respirometry, and animal bioenergetic models. This technical guide outlines exact volumetric reconstitution calculations, aliquoting strategies, mass spectrometry verification protocols, and handling practices for laboratory researchers.

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Quick answer

A 10mg vial of SS-31 (Elamipretide) provides a high-yield unit of the mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide engineered for high-throughput cell culture, isolated organelle respirometry, and animal bioenergetic models. This technical guide outlines exact volumetric reconstitution calculations, aliquoting strategies, mass spectrometry verification protocols, and handling practices for laboratory researchers.

Reviewed by PX1 Research scientific team

Key takeaways

  • A standard 10mg vial of [SS-31](/research-peptides/ss-31) contains 10 milligrams of highly purified, lyophilized SS-31 acetate salt (d-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, MW ~639.8 g/mol).
  • Accurate reconstitution is vital to maintaining precise micromolar (µM) or millimolar (mM) working solutions in vitro.
  • Repeated freeze-thaw cycles degrade peptide bond integrity and promote aggregate formation, which disrupts quantitative assays.
  • Every batch of [SS-31](/research-peptides/ss-31) synthesized for PX1 Research undergoes strict analytical characterization within an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory environment.

SS-31 10mg Overview: Payload Composition & Target Applications

A standard 10mg vial of SS-31 contains 10 milligrams of highly purified, lyophilized SS-31 acetate salt (d-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, MW ~639.8 g/mol). Formulated strictly as a research compound, this specification delivers a bulk concentration suitable for multi-well bioenergetic screening, microplate oxygen consumption rate (OCR) assays, or extended preclinical animal studies where batch-to-batch uniformity is essential. Laboratories selecting the 10mg size prioritize consistent molar concentration across large experimental sets without introducing lot-to-lot variance.

When sourcing from PX1 Research, every vial undergoes rigorous quality checks to confirm purity and mass accuracy. Should PX1 Research present this peptide in specific catalog configurations—such as 10mg or alternate mass sizes—investigators can verify real-time inventory and lot availability directly on the primary SS-31 product page or review the complete index of available compounds through our overall catalog of research peptides.

Volumetric Reconstitution Math for 10mg SS-31

Accurate reconstitution is vital to maintaining precise micromolar (µM) or millimolar (mM) working solutions in vitro. Because 10mg represents a substantial mass quantity, choosing the correct diluent volume directly dictates the pipetting precision required for downstream assays. The standard solvent for lyophilized SS-31 is sterile bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) for multi-use laboratory stocks, or sterile 0.9% sodium chloride / phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) for immediate single-use assay preparation.

The following calculations illustrate final stock concentrations based on common solvent additions to a 10mg dry cake:

1.0 mL Diluent Addition: Yields a stock concentration of 10.0 mg/mL (10.0 µg/µL). In molar terms, assuming a molecular weight of 639.8 g/mol, this yields a concentration of approximately 15.63 mM. This highly concentrated stock is optimal for long-term frozen storage and high-concentration master mixes.

2.0 mL Diluent Addition: Yields a stock concentration of 5.0 mg/mL (5.0 µg/µL), equivalent to approximately 7.81 mM. This medium-density concentration simplifies pipetting volumes into tissue culture media where intermediate concentration ranges are targeted.

3.0 mL Diluent Addition: Yields a stock concentration of 3.33 mg/mL (3.33 µg/µL), equivalent to approximately 5.21 mM. This format is well-suited for high-volume liquid handling robotics or routine multi-well plating protocols.

To quickly recalculate variable stock volumes, molecular weights, or custom mass additions, research staff are encouraged to utilize the PX1 Research interactive reconstitution calculator tool.

Aliquot Planning & Freeze-Thaw Degradation Prevention

Repeated freeze-thaw cycles degrade peptide bond integrity and promote aggregate formation, which disrupts quantitative assays. Because a 10mg vial yields a high-volume stock solution, proper aliquoting immediately following primary reconstitution is critical for preserving peptide purity over prolonged experimental timelines.

Upon adding the desired diluent volume and ensuring complete dissolution via gentle inversion (avoiding vigorous vortexing or foam formation), the master solution should be divided into sterile, low-binding polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes. Aliquot sizes should mirror single-day operational requirements (e.g., 50 µL to 200 µL working volumes). Working aliquots must be frozen immediately at -20°C or -80°C. Once an aliquot is thawed for an assay, any unused liquid portion should be stored at 2°C to 8°C for no longer than 48 to 72 hours, or discarded according to institutional biosafety guidelines.

Lot-Matched COA & Analytical Verification Parameters

Every batch of SS-31 synthesized for PX1 Research undergoes strict analytical characterization within an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory environment. Quality assurance protocols confirm both the identity and absolute purity of the synthesized tetrapeptide prior to distribution.

A lot-matched Certificate of Analysis (COA) is issued for every fill size and lot number. Laboratory personnel can download official documentation via the PX1 COA verification hub. The COA certifies the following analytical benchmarks:

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Confirms chemical purity equal to or exceeding 98.0%. HPLC chromatograms clearly display the primary peak area relative to minor synthesis side-products.

Mass Spectrometry (MS): Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) confirms the correct molecular mass (m/z) of SS-31, ensuring no truncated or sequence-incorrect peptides are present.

Endotoxin Analysis: Measured via the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, ensuring endotoxin levels remain below 0.01 EU/mg, protecting sensitive cell lines and isolated mitochondrial fractions from lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory artifacts.

Preclinical Mechanism: Cardiolipin Target & Mitochondrial Energetics

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is categorized as a mitochondria-targeted aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide. Preclinical studies suggest that its primary mechanism of action relies on electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with cardiolipin, an essential phospholipid localized exclusively within the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM).

In vitro data indicate that cardiolipin plays a structural role in anchoring Electron Transport Chain (ETC) complexes (Complexes I–IV) and ATP synthase into functional supercomplexes (respirasomes). Under conditions of pathological oxidative stress, cardiolipin undergoes peroxidation, destabilizing the IMM and uncoupling electron flow. Research models show that SS-31 selectively binds cardiolipin, preventing structurally disruptive oxidative modifications, optimizing electron transfer efficiency, reducing electron leak (and subsequent reactive oxygen species generation), and preserving ATP synthesis capacity. To review published mechanistic models and literature summaries, explore the PX1 research library.

Comparative Bioenergetic Research Peptides

In metabolic and mitochondrial research paradigms, SS-31 is often evaluated alongside other mitochondria-derived or bioenergetic peptides to compare mechanisms of action. For example, while SS-31 directly interacts with IMM phospholipids, the mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c targets nuclear gene transcription to regulate systemic metabolic homeostasis and folate-dependent carbon pathways. Similarly, Humanin acts via cell-surface receptor signaling and cytoprotective pathways to suppress apoptosis under cellular stress conditions. In tissue stability models, researchers also cross-reference cellular repair compounds like BPC-157 to assess microvascular integrity alongside bioenergetic protection.

Vial Mass Selection: Determining When 10mg is Optimal

Selecting the appropriate vial mass depends on experimental scale, assay frequency, and storage infrastructure. A 10mg unit is the ideal selection for high-volume research protocols, including parallel microplate screens, continuous automated liquid-handling runs, or multi-animal cohort studies requiring fixed daily dosing protocols over extended durations.

Conversely, if a project involves sporadic, low-volume in vitro assays, smaller mass configurations (such as 2mg or 5mg vials) may be preferable to minimize storage duration after reconstitution. For core facilities or large-scale academic consortia conducting widespread research, PX1 Research provides volume procurement options accessible through our dedicated wholesale account portal.

Lyophilized Stability & Storage Matrix

Lyophilized SS-31 is supplied as a desiccated cake in sealed, nitrogen-flushed glass vials. Maintaining proper environmental conditions ensures peptide integrity over extended timelines:

Unreconstituted / Dry Storage: Store at -20°C for up to 24 months, or at -80°C for long-term stability exceeding 24 months. Protect from direct light and moisture infiltration.

Reconstituted Liquid Storage: Once dissolved in sterile, buffered aqueous media, store primary aliquoting tubes at -80°C (stable up to 6–12 months) or -20°C (stable up to 3 months). Reconstituted stock stored at 2°C to 8°C should be utilized within 72 hours to prevent hydrolysis or degradation.

PX1 Research Quality Standards & USA Fulfillment

PX1 Research is dedicated to supplying verified, high-purity research compounds to academic, pharmaceutical, and institutional laboratories. All peptides are manufactured under strict GMP-compliant quality management systems and undergo rigorous internal and third-party validation.

Orders are dispatched directly from our USA-based fulfillment hubs located in California and Arizona. With same-day shipping on orders placed Monday through Friday before cut-off times, research teams can rely on rapid, temperature-controlled delivery to maintain experimental momentum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recommended diluent for reconstituting a 10mg SS-31 vial?

Sterile Bacteriostatic Water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) is recommended for multi-use stock solutions stored at frozen temperatures. For immediate, single-day cell culture or enzymatic assays, sterile 0.9% Sodium Chloride or Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS, pH 7.4) may be used.

How many micromoles of SS-31 are present in a 10mg vial?

Assuming a molecular weight of approximately 639.8 g/mol for SS-31 free base equivalent, a 10mg vial contains approximately 15.63 micromoles (µmol) of peptide.

What is the endotoxin limit verified for PX1 Research SS-31?

PX1 Research mandates that every batch of SS-31 tests below 0.01 EU/mg via standard LAL assay, ensuring minimal risk of lipopolysaccharide interference in sensitive preclinical models.

How should I store reconstituted 10mg SS-31 to prevent degradation?

Immediately after reconstitution, divide the solution into single-use micro-aliquots using low-binding polypropylene tubes. Store these aliquots at -20°C or -80°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Where can I access the batch-specific COA for my 10mg SS-31 vial?

Lot-matched Certificates of Analysis containing HPLC and Mass Spectrometry data can be downloaded directly from the PX1 Research COA portal by entering your vial lot number.

Is SS-31 10mg approved for clinical or veterinary administration?

No. SS-31 is supplied strictly as a research chemical intended for in vitro, cell culture, and laboratory research applications only. It is explicitly not for human or veterinary medical use.

How does SS-31 differ structurally from MOTS-c?

SS-31 is a synthetic aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide (4 amino acids) designed to target cardiolipin within the inner mitochondrial membrane. MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that primary acts on nuclear transcription and systemic metabolic regulation.

What options exist if 10mg is larger than my immediate experimental requirement?

If a 10mg format yields excess material for a single assay run, researchers can select smaller vial sizes listed on the primary SS-31 product page or implement strict aliquot sub-packaging upon initial reconstitution.

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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.