SS-31 5mg — Vial Spec, Reconstitution Math & COA

SS-31 5mg Vial Specification & Laboratory Application

A 5mg vial of SS-31 (also known in academic literature as Elamipretide or Szeto-Schiller peptide 31) contains a high-purity, lyophilized solid cake formulated specifically for analytical and cell culture applications. In laboratory settings, the 5mg mass standard is frequently selected by investigators conducting bench-scale assays where reagent fresh-ness is paramount and long-term liquid storage of reconstituted peptide must be minimized.

Principal investigators and laboratory technicians utilize the 5mg unit specification to perform acute cell culture exposure studies, enzymatic reaction assays, or small-scale rodent exploratory trials. Purchasing a 5mg vial format prevents repeated freeze-thaw degradation cycles that can occur when larger bulk units are reconstituted and stored for extended durations. At PX1 Research, all research compounds are manufactured under strict analytical standards to ensure that every 5mg unit yields consistent bioactivity and predictable concentration profiles upon reconstitution.

Catalog Availability & Mass Options at PX1 Research

PX1 Research maintains a dynamic inventory of specialized research peptides. While specific individual mass configurations such as the 5mg format may fluctuate based on production schedules and specialized synthesis runs, laboratories can inspect current inventory directly via our SS-31 product page. When particular unit sizes are out of stock or under active batch processing, equivalent high-purity material is routinely accessible across our broader catalog of all research peptides.

For institutions requiring custom fill volumes, specific batch allocations, or bulk raw material for high-throughput screening, custom fill sizes can be requested through our dedicated wholesale lab accounts portal. Regardless of the final container size, PX1 Research enforces uniform quality controls across every vial produced.

Molecular Structure and Mitochondrial Target Mechanism

SS-31 is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 (where Dmt represents 2',6'-dimethyltyrosine). This unique structure imparts a net 3+ positive charge at physiological pH, enabling the molecule to selectively penetrate cellular membranes and concentrate within the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). Preclinical studies suggest that SS-31 binds electrostatically and hydrophobically to cardiolipin, an essential phospholipid exclusive to the IMM.

In vitro data indicate that by interacting with cardiolipin, SS-31 stabilizes cristae architecture, optimizes electron transfer along the respiratory chain complexes (I through IV), and suppresses the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because cardiolipin oxidation disrupts mitochondrial bioenergetics in models of ischemia-reperfusion, microvascular injury, and metabolic dysfunction, SS-31 serves as a fundamental research tool for investigating targeted mitochondrial therapeutics without altering baseline physiological ROS signaling.

Reconstitution Mathematics for a 5mg Lyophilized Mass

Accurate concentration calculations are critical when solubilizing a 5mg lyophilized peptide cake. The total mass of active compound (5,000 micrograms) must be divided by the total volume of liquid diluent introduced into the vial. Researchers should routinely verify their calculations using a validated reconstitution calculator prior to adding diluent.

Below are the standardized concentration yields for common diluent volumes applied to a 5mg vial:

1.0 mL Diluent Volume: Adding 1.0 mL of liquid yields a final concentration of 5.0 mg/mL (5,000 µg/mL or 5.0 µg/µL). This high concentration is ideal for low-volume micro-dosing protocols in cellular microplates or concentrated stock storage.

2.0 mL Diluent Volume: Adding 2.0 mL of liquid yields a final concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (2,500 µg/mL or 2.5 µg/µL). This represents a standard working concentration for intermediate dilution series in bench top biochemical assays.

3.0 mL Diluent Volume: Adding 3.0 mL of liquid yields a final concentration of approximately 1.67 mg/mL (1,666.67 µg/mL or 1.67 µg/µL). This lower concentration facilitates accurate volumetric pipetting when delivering sub-milligram quantities to cell culture wells.

Aliquot Planning and Liquid Handling Protocol

To maintain biological activity and prevent peptide degradation following reconstitution, strict liquid handling protocols must be observed. Reconstitution should occur using sterile Bacteriostatic Water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) for multi-use laboratory procedures or Sterile Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl) for immediate single-day cell culture protocols where preservative agents might interfere with cellular viability.

Once dissolved, the primary solution should be immediately divided into single-use microcentrifuge aliquots using polypropylene micro-vials. Avoid using glass containers for secondary storage, as basic peptides like SS-31 may adhere non-specifically to glass surfaces. Aliquoting eliminates the need for repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which degrade peptide secondary structure and compromise experimental reproducibility. Each aliquot should be clearly labeled with the exact concentration, date of reconstitution, and lot number.

Comparative Sizing Analysis: 5mg vs. Alternate Quantities

Choosing between a 5mg vial and larger mass configurations (such as 10mg or 50mg) depends primarily on experimental scale, assay frequency, and budget management. A 5mg vial is optimal for preliminary pilot studies, assay validation runs, or laboratories testing batch consistency across multiple research targets. Its limited mass minimizes material wastage if an experimental run is terminated early.

Conversely, research laboratories conducting longitudinal animal studies or high-throughput cell screening programs often benefit from larger single-lot fills. Utilizing larger unit sizes reduces per-milligram unit costs and ensures that an entire study cohort receives material from a single, unified reconstitution event. Researchers planning extensive projects can consult our research library to review typical consumption rates reported across established preclinical literature.

Analytical Verification: Lot-Matched COA, HPLC & MS Standards

PX1 Research enforces rigorous quality assurance protocols to guarantee that every batch of SS-31 meets stringent analytical thresholds. Every lot undergoes independent, third-party laboratory verification utilizing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to confirm peptide purity (>98%) and Mass Spectrometry (MS) to verify precise molecular identity.

Furthermore, because SS-31 is routinely employed in mitochondrial bioenergetic research where extraneous contaminants can artifactually alter cellular respiration rates, our products undergo strict bacterial endotoxin testing (LAL assay). Researchers can access, download, and archive lot-matched documentation directly from our Certificate of Analysis hub by inputting the lot number printed on the vial label.

Comparative Analysis: SS-31 within Mitochondrial Research

In the broader landscape of cellular energy and bioenergetic research, SS-31 is frequently evaluated alongside other mitochondria-targeted compounds. While SS-31 acts directly on inner membrane lipid structure and electron transport chain efficiency, mitochondrial-derived peptides like MOTS-c operate via nuclear translocation to regulate metabolic gene expression and glucose homeostasis in rodent models.

Similarly, peptides such as Humanin exert cytoprotective effects by binding extracellular receptors and inhibiting apoptotic signaling cascades, while non-peptide modulators like NAD+ precursors target sirtuin pathways and global coenzyme pools. Understanding these distinct mechanistic pathways allows investigators to design comprehensive comparative matrices across metabolic and bioenergetic research frameworks. For studies exploring tissue repair cross-talk, investigators also frequently cross-reference tissue regeneration agents like BPC-157.

Storage Guidelines, Thermal Stability, and Handling Precautions

Lyophilized SS-31 5mg vials must be stored in a dry, dark environment at -20°C for long-term stability (up to 24 months). Desiccant containers should be used during storage to prevent moisture absorption. Exposure to room temperature during transit is acceptable for short intervals, but vials should be returned to sub-zero freezer units immediately upon delivery to PX1's ISO 17025 compliant holding facilities.

After reconstitution, aqueous solutions containing bacteriostatic preservative remain stable at 2°C to 8°C for up to 28 days. For prolonged liquid storage beyond 4 weeks, aliquots must be frozen at -80°C. Reconstituted solutions must never be subjected to intense mechanical agitation or vortexing; gentle inversion is required to complete dissolution without shearing the peptide chain.