What Bacteriostatic Water Is
Bacteriostatic water is sterile, non-pyrogenic water to which 0.9% w/v benzyl alcohol
(CAS 100-51-6) has been added as a bacteriostatic preservative. The benzyl alcohol
inhibits the growth of common bacterial contaminants, which is what distinguishes this
solution from plain sterile water and allows a sealed vial to tolerate multiple
withdrawals across a working period rather than a single entry.
It is a diluent, not a research compound. It carries no biological activity of its own
and is characterised entirely by its sterility, its preservative content, and the absence
of pyrogens.
Bacteriostatic Water vs. Adjacent Solutions
| Solution | Preservative | Entries | Distinguishing property |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteriostatic water | 0.9% benzyl alcohol | Multiple | Preservative suppresses bacterial growth between withdrawals |
| Sterile water for injection | None | Single | No preservative; sterility is not maintained after first entry |
| 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) | None (unless specified) | Single | Isotonic salt solution, not pure water; different osmolarity |
Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Volume | 10 mL |
| Composition | Sterile water (CAS 7732-18-5) with 0.9% w/v benzyl alcohol (CAS 100-51-6) |
| pH | 4.5 – 7.0 (USP monograph range for benzyl-alcohol-preserved water) |
| Sterility | Sterile, non-pyrogenic |
| Container | Sealed multi-dose glass vial with elastomeric closure |
| Verification | Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis supplied |
Storage & Stability
Store at controlled room temperature, 20–25 °C, away from direct light. Unopened vials
are stable through the lot expiry printed on the label.
For benzyl-alcohol-preserved multi-dose solutions, USP convention limits the in-use
period to 28 days from initial entry. This is a property of the preservative system, not
a recommendation for any particular application.
Verification
Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis identifying the batch. Consistent with
how Artemis Labs handles every compound in the catalogue: we do not ask you to take
sterility on trust, we document it per lot.
Regulatory Status
This product is supplied strictly as a laboratory reagent. It is not a drug, is not
FDA-approved, and is not intended for human or veterinary use. Artemis Labs is not a
compounding pharmacy or an outsourcing facility, and does not supply this solution for
any clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purpose.


Reviews
There are no reviews yet.