Laboratory Reconstitution of GHK-Cu Peptide Powder

GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK). The tripeptide chelates Cu(II) through its N-terminal amine and the imidazole nitrogen of histidine; commercial research material is commonly supplied as GHK-Cu acetate or as the free complex, and the salt form determines the precise molar mass on the label — check the COA before any calculation.

GHK-Cu is a small, polar, charged complex and dissolves readily in sterile water; bacteriostatic water is acceptable for multi-use research stocks. Avoid strongly chelating buffers (EDTA-containing anything), which strip the copper and convert the material into apo-GHK with different properties. Keep the working pH in the mild range where the complex is stable; strongly acidic or basic conditions displace copper.

Laboratory mathematics only: the GHK-Cu free complex has a molar mass of about 403.9 g/mol (acetate salt forms are correspondingly higher — use the COA value). A 50 mg vial of the free complex reconstituted in 5 mL sterile water gives 0.050 g / (403.9 g/mol × 0.005 L) ≈ 24.8 mmol/L ≈ 24.8 mM ≈ 24,800 µM; in 10 mL, half that. The full method — including content correction and dilution series — is peptide concentration calculation.

The copper complex is photosensitive and oxidation-sensitive: work with fresh solvent, protect from prolonged light, and aliquot promptly. Lyophilized powder follows the standard cold/dry/dark storage from the handling and storage guidelines; reconstituted aliquots are frozen at -20 C or below with single-use thawing.

Bench-level checks consistent with our certification approach: confirm the labeled salt form and molar mass against the COA, confirm the chromatogram is batch-specific, and note the blue color typical of the Cu(II) complex — a visual handle, not proof. Full identity verification belongs to the characterization methods.