Laboratory Reconstitution Explained
Reconstitution is the laboratory process of adding an appropriate liquid to a dry or lyophilized material to create a solution for controlled research use.
The Essential Process
1. Review the Protocol
Confirm the appropriate solvent, target concentration and storage requirements before beginning.
2. Prepare the Workspace
Use a clean laboratory area and properly maintained equipment to reduce contamination risk.
3. Measure Carefully
Measure the required solvent volume using calibrated laboratory equipment.
4. Mix Gently
Add the solvent according to the protocol. Avoid aggressive shaking unless the compound’s documentation specifically requires it.
Understanding Concentration
Concentration describes how much material is present in each milliliter.
Example: 10 mg in a total volume of 2 mL creates a laboratory concentration of 5 mg/mL.
Important Research Practices
- Use only the solvent specified by the laboratory protocol.
- Do not assume one solvent is appropriate for every compound.
- Use calibrated equipment for accurate measurement.
- Label the prepared solution with its concentration and date.
- Record the product name, lot number and solvent used.
- Follow the compound-specific storage requirements.
- Discard material if contamination or container damage is suspected.
