Scientific Reference
Bacteriostatic Water
Evidence profile: Component evidence only — this formulation has not itself been studied
Bacteriostatic Water is a sterile, non-pyrogenic water preparation containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which acts as a bacteriostatic preservative. It is widely used in research and laboratory settings for the reconstitution and dilution of peptides and other injectable compounds requiring multi-use handling. Unlike sterile water, bacteriostatic water inhibits microbial growth, allowing for repeated withdrawals from the same vial over a defined period. It is the standard solvent for peptide reconstitution when stability, sterility, and extended usability are required.
Mechanism of Action
Bacteriostatic Water functions as a sterile solvent while the benzyl alcohol component exerts antimicrobial activity by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting enzymatic processes necessary for microbial proliferation. This bacteriostatic effect prevents the growth of bacteria introduced during repeated vial access, allowing the solution to remain usable over multiple withdrawals. It does not sterilise contaminated solutions but instead inhibits microbial replication, preserving the integrity of reconstituted compounds during short-term storage.
Molecular Information
- Type: Solvent (bacteriostatic aqueous solution)
Published Research
Antimicrobial Preservatives for Protein and Peptide Formulations: An Overview
Stroppel L et al. · Pharmaceutics · 2023 · Review · Evidence for Benzyl alcohol (bacteriostatic preservative)
PMID 36839885 — View on PubMedCritical Aspects of pH Measurement for Bacteriostatic Water for Injection
Hu J et al. · Journal of pharmaceutical sciences · 2023 · Preclinical · Evidence for Benzyl alcohol (bacteriostatic preservative)
PMID 36870668 — View on PubMedMolecular Mechanism of Antimicrobial Excipient-Induced Aggregation in Parenteral Formulations of Peptide Therapeutics
Li M et al. · Molecular pharmaceutics · 2022 · Preclinical · Evidence for Benzyl alcohol (bacteriostatic preservative)
PMID 35917158 — View on PubMedComplex poisoning mainly with benzyl alcohol complicated by paralytic ileus: a case report
Fukuda H et al. · International journal of emergency medicine · 2022 · Preclinical · Evidence for Benzyl alcohol (bacteriostatic preservative)
PMID 35787785 — View on PubMedIncompatibility of ifosfamide with benzyl-alcohol-preserved bacteriostatic water for injection
Behme RJ et al. · American journal of hospital pharmacy · 1988 · Preclinical · Evidence for Benzyl alcohol (bacteriostatic preservative)
PMID 3369469 — View on PubMed