Storing and handling lyophilised compounds in the lab
Good laboratory practice for freeze-dried powders and the solutions prepared from them.
Lyophilized powder
Lyophilisation (freeze-drying) removes water so the compound stays stable. Keep vials closed, dry and away from light. For long-term storage, a freezer at −20 °C is the usual laboratory standard.
Before opening
Let a cold vial reach room temperature before opening it. Otherwise moisture from the air condenses on the powder.
Solutions
Compounds are generally less stable in solution. Prepare only what is needed, divide stock solutions into single-use aliquots and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Label each tube with the compound, concentration, solvent, date and batch.