Benzyl Alcohol 0.9%

Benzyl Alcohol 0.9% Solution

Benzyl Alcohol 0.9% Solution is a professional-grade, bacteriostatic aqueous medium prepared for specialized laboratory applications. This solution is meticulously formulated by integrating 0.9 percent benzyl alcohol by volume into a matrix of ultra-pure water. It serves as a critical component in research environments, functioning as a sterile diluent and preservative vehicle designed to maintain the integrity of biological reagents. Its primary utility lies in providing a stable environment that suppresses the metabolic activity of potential microbial contaminants, thereby ensuring that experimental materials remain viable for repeated use in longitudinal studies.

Benzyl Alcohol Overview

In the context of advanced biochemical research, the maintenance of aseptic conditions is paramount. This solution is widely employed for the reconstitution of synthetic peptides and recombinant proteins. By incorporating a bacteriostatic agent, this medium allows researchers to access multi-use vials without the immediate risk of bacterial proliferation that typically occurs in preservative-free water. The ultra-pure water component is processed to remove organic carbon, ions, and particulates, providing a neutral background that ensures experimental reproducibility and high-fidelity data in analytical assays such as spectroscopy and electrophoresis.

Benzyl Alcohol Structure

Chemical Configuration

The solution is a standardized mixture of an aromatic primary alcohol and highly purified water, balanced for chemical neutrality and stability.

Structure Solution Formula: C6H5CH2OH at 0.9 percent concentration in H2O

Specification Parameter

Detail

Molecular Weight of Solute

108.14 grams per mole

Boiling Point of Solute

205 degrees Celsius

Solution Density

Approximately 1.0 gram per milliliter

Filtration Method

0.22 micrometer sterile membrane

Purity Standard

Research Grade / Reagent Grade

Benzyl Alcohol Research

Preservation of Biological Reagents

Research indicates that the 0.9 percent concentration of benzyl alcohol provides an optimal balance between antimicrobial efficacy and the preservation of protein tertiary structures. It is a preferred vehicle for peptides that must be stored in liquid form for the duration of a trial, as it prevents the enzymatic degradation often triggered by microbial presence.

Solubilization and Surface Tension

As a mild organic solvent, benzyl alcohol reduces the surface tension of the aqueous matrix. This facilitates the wetting and dissolution of hydrophobic peptide cakes, which can be difficult to solubilize in pure water. This property ensures a more uniform concentration of the active reagent throughout the solution.

Compatibility with Cell-Based Assays

When used at the recommended dilutions, this bacteriostatic solution is compatible with various cell culture workflows. Its low endotoxin profile makes it suitable for sensitive molecular biology applications where the presence of contaminants could trigger non-specific cellular responses or interfere with signal transduction studies.

Article Author

The technical data and literature synthesis provided in this document were organized by Dr. James R. Alford, Ph.D. Dr. Alford is a distinguished researcher in the field of biophysical chemistry, specifically focusing on the interactions between solvents and protein stability. His published work regarding the structural effects of benzyl alcohol on albumin remains a standard reference for the formulation of stable biological reagents.

Scientific Journal Author

Dr. James R. Alford’s academic career has been dedicated to understanding the molecular dynamics of protein formulation. His investigations into how small-molecule preservatives influence the folding and aggregation of recombinant proteins have provided the scientific community with essential guidelines for maintaining reagent efficacy. This acknowledgment serves to highlight the foundational research that informs the use of this product in modern laboratories.

Reference Citations

• Alford JR. Effect of benzyl alcohol on recombinant human albumin structure. Protein Expr Purif. 2011.
• PubChem Database. Benzyl Alcohol Compound Summary (CID 244).
• ScienceDirect Topics. Applications of Benzyl Alcohol in Biotechnology.
• Avantor Performance Materials. Product Specifications for Benzyl Alcohol Reagents.
• U.S. Pharmacopeia. General Chapter 1231 Water for Pharmaceutical Purposes.

STORAGE

Reconstitution and Short-Term Maintenance

All peptide products are supplied in a lyophilized state, a process involving the sublimation of water under low pressure to create a stable crystalline structure. Once the researcher adds Benzyl Alcohol 0.9% Solution to this powder, the resulting liquid should be stored in a controlled refrigerated environment between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit). Under these conditions, the bacteriostatic properties of the solution help maintain the peptide's integrity for up to 30 days.

Long-Term Cryogenic Preservation

For studies extending beyond one month, peptides should remain in their lyophilized form and be stored in a deep-freeze environment, preferably at -80 degrees Celsius (-112 degrees Fahrenheit). This level of cold stops nearly all molecular motion, effectively preventing the chemical degradation of the peptide chain. Vials should be kept in a dedicated freezer that does not undergo a manual or automatic defrost cycle, as temperature fluctuations can cause structural damage.

Environmental Protection Protocols

Peptides are sensitive to both light and air. Exposure to ultraviolet light can lead to the cleavage of peptide bonds, while oxygen can cause the oxidation of sensitive residues like Cysteine or Methionine. It is essential to keep vials in opaque storage boxes and ensure that caps are tightly sealed. When removing a portion of the peptide, it is recommended to replace the head-space in the vial with an inert gas to further minimize the risk of oxidative breakdown over time.