What the 0.9% on a bacteriostatic water label is for

Published 24 October 2026 · REVIVE LAB UAE Research Desk · 5 min read
Bacteriostatic water is sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Bacteriostatic means it inhibits bacterial growth; it does not mean it kills bacteria, and it does not sterilise anything introduced after the vial is opened.

Static, not -cidal

The distinction is exact and it is in the word. A bacteriostatic agent holds bacterial growth in check; a bactericidal one kills. Benzyl alcohol at this concentration is the former, which is what allows a vial to be entered more than once without the contents becoming a culture.

What it does not do is rescue a contaminated preparation or make a non-sterile technique acceptable.

Why that matters for a diluent

A single-use sterile water ampoule is intended to be opened once. A preserved diluent is formulated for a vial that will be entered repeatedly, which is the normal pattern when one vial of material serves several experiments over time.

That is the entire practical difference between the two, and it is a handling difference rather than a chemical one as far as the dissolved compound is concerned.

Where the preservative is not neutral

Benzyl alcohol is a component of the final solution, not an invisible one. In sensitive cell assays a preservative can itself produce effects, which is why a vehicle control matters: the control should contain what the test condition contains, minus the compound.

Where that is a concern, plain sterile water is the alternative, with the single-use handling it implies.

What is supplied

Bacteriostatic water as a box of two 3 mL vials, 0.9% benzyl alcohol, for laboratory research use only. Every peptide pack in the catalogue also includes a 3 mL vial in its carton.

No guidance on volumes or use is provided.

What it costs

FormatStrengthPriceAvailability
Bacteriostatic Water3 mL × 2AED 99In stock

Delivery is AED 40 flat and free on orders over AED 700. Payment is cash on delivery anywhere in the UAE, or USDT (TRC20) in advance, which takes 5% off the order total.

Frequently asked

Static, not -cidal?

The distinction is exact and it is in the word. A bacteriostatic agent holds bacterial growth in check; a bactericidal one kills. Benzyl alcohol at this concentration is the former, which is what allows a vial to be entered more than once without the contents becoming a culture.

Does REVIVE LAB UAE provide dosing guidance?

No. REVIVE LAB UAE supplies research materials and provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance of any kind. Every product is sold for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary consumption.

How fast is delivery in the UAE?

Stock is held in Dubai. An order confirmed before 4 PM Dubai time is dispatched the same working day, reaching Dubai and Abu Dhabi the same day and the remaining emirates within 24 hours. Delivery is AED 40 flat and free over AED 700.

Bacteriostatic Water — in stock, dispatched from Dubai
HPLC-verified, lot certificate on every carton, 24-hour delivery nationwide. Browse the catalogue → All peptides UAE

Related reading

Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. REVIVE LAB UAE provides no dosing, administration or protocol guidance.