GHK-Cu Reconstitution Calculator: BAC Water Volumes & Concentration Tables for Lab Research
DISCLAIMER: GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a research compound intended exclusively for qualified laboratory use in preclinical and in vitro research settings. It is not approved by the FDA for injectable or therapeutic use. All concentration calculations described on this page are provided solely for laboratory research purposes. Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, dosing guidance, or instructions for self-administration. Always follow your institution's standard operating procedures and biosafety requirements.
GHK-Cu Reconstitution Calculator: BAC Water Volumes & Concentration Tables for Lab Research
Last Updated: May 2026 | Reading Time: ~8 minutes | Author: Palmetto Peptides Research Team
GHK-Cu is unlike most research peptides in one important practical respect: it comes in dramatically larger vial sizes. While most lyophilized research peptides are supplied in 2mg–10mg vials, GHK-Cu is available in 50mg and 100mg quantities — reflecting the higher working concentrations used in its primary research applications in skin biology, collagen synthesis, and wound healing models.
This means the reconstitution math for GHK-Cu is different from what researchers accustomed to smaller peptides might expect. A 50mg GHK-Cu vial at 10 mg/mL requires only 5.0 mL of BAC water — far less per unit mass than a 5mg BPC-157 vial prepared at 1 mg/mL.
This page provides complete concentration lookup tables for Palmetto Peptides' 50mg and 100mg GHK-Cu vials. For the full reconstitution procedure, see our Glow Stack Storage and Reconstitution guide. This page covers the concentration math for GHK-Cu specifically.
GHK-Cu: Research Background
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine : copper) is a naturally occurring copper-complexed tripeptide with a remarkably broad range of studied biological effects. Research has documented its influence on collagen and elastin synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) regulation, wound contraction, angiogenesis, and antioxidant signaling. A landmark analysis identified GHK-Cu as a modulator of over 4,000 human genes, an unusually broad effect profile for a 3-amino acid peptide.
In preclinical research, GHK-Cu is most commonly studied in dermatological, skin aging, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory contexts. It is a primary component of the Palmetto Peptides Glow Stack, which also includes BPC-157 and TB-500 for combined skin and tissue research.
Palmetto Peptides supplies GHK-Cu as lyophilized powder in two standard vial sizes: 50mg and 100mg, with third-party HPLC purity verification (≥98%) and mass spectrometry identity confirmation.
View GHK-Cu Research Peptide →
The Reconstitution Formula
Volume to add (mL) = Peptide mass (mg) ÷ Target concentration (mg/mL)
The formula is the same as for any other research peptide. The difference with GHK-Cu is the scale: 50mg and 100mg vials produce much larger solution volumes at equivalent concentrations, or yield higher concentrations with equivalent volumes.
Always use actual COA fill weight — not the labeled amount — for precise concentration control.
GHK-Cu Concentration Calculator — 50mg Vial
| Target Concentration | BAC Water to Add | Total Solution Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 mg/mL | 10.0 mL | 10.0 mL |
| 10.0 mg/mL | 5.0 mL | 5.0 mL |
| 25.0 mg/mL | 2.0 mL | 2.0 mL |
| 50.0 mg/mL | 1.0 mL | 1.0 mL |
Based on nominal fill weight of 50.0mg. Adjust using actual COA fill weight.
GHK-Cu Concentration Calculator — 100mg Vial
| Target Concentration | BAC Water to Add | Total Solution Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 mg/mL | 20.0 mL | 20.0 mL |
| 10.0 mg/mL | 10.0 mL | 10.0 mL |
| 25.0 mg/mL | 4.0 mL | 4.0 mL |
| 50.0 mg/mL | 2.0 mL | 2.0 mL |
Based on nominal fill weight of 100.0mg. Adjust using actual COA fill weight.
How GHK-Cu Concentrations Differ from Smaller Peptides
Researchers transitioning from smaller peptides (BPC-157, Ipamorelin, CJC-1295) to GHK-Cu should note the concentration scale difference:
| Compound | Typical Vial Size | Common Working Conc. | BAC Water Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | 5mg | 1 mg/mL | 5.0 mL |
| Ipamorelin | 5mg | 1 mg/mL | 5.0 mL |
| GHK-Cu | 50mg | 10 mg/mL | 5.0 mL |
| GHK-Cu | 100mg | 10 mg/mL | 10.0 mL |
GHK-Cu uses the same formula — but operates at 10x the concentration scale of many other common research peptides.
Adjusting for Actual COA Fill Weight
Example: COA fill weight = 49.2mg, target = 10 mg/mL Volume to add = 49.2 ÷ 10 = 4.92 mL BAC water
At high stock concentrations (25–50 mg/mL), small fill weight deviations have a proportionally larger effect on the final concentration than at lower concentrations. Precise COA-based calculation is especially important for concentration-sensitive in vitro assay work.
Solvent Selection
Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) is the recommended reconstitution solvent for GHK-Cu research solutions where the solution will be stored between uses. The preservative action of benzyl alcohol extends solution stability during refrigerated storage.
Sterile water for injection is appropriate for immediate single-use protocols only.
GHK-Cu is highly water-soluble and dissolves readily in either solvent. Gentle agitation for 30–60 seconds is typically sufficient at all common concentrations.
Palmetto Peptides supplies Bacteriostatic Water (BAC Water) 10mL vials. For 100mg vials at lower concentrations, multiple BAC water vials may be needed.
Aliquot Volume Reference
| Vial Size | Concentration | Total Volume | 500μL Aliquots | 1mL Aliquots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50mg | 10 mg/mL | 5.0 mL | 10 aliquots | 5 aliquots |
| 50mg | 5 mg/mL | 10.0 mL | 20 aliquots | 10 aliquots |
| 100mg | 10 mg/mL | 10.0 mL | 20 aliquots | 10 aliquots |
| 100mg | 5 mg/mL | 20.0 mL | 40 aliquots | 20 aliquots |
Storage Conditions
| Form | Recommended Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized (unreconstituted) | -20°C, desiccated | Stable for 24+ months when properly stored |
| Reconstituted in BAC water | 2–8°C, protected from light | GHK-Cu is generally stable in aqueous solution |
| Aliquoted samples | -20°C | Limit freeze-thaw cycles |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much BAC water for a 50mg GHK-Cu vial at 10 mg/mL? Add 5.0 mL. Formula: 50 ÷ 10 = 5.0 mL.
How much BAC water for a 100mg GHK-Cu vial at 10 mg/mL? Add 10.0 mL. Formula: 100 ÷ 10 = 10.0 mL.
Why is GHK-Cu sold in such large vials compared to other peptides? GHK-Cu is a tripeptide used at comparatively high concentrations in skin and wound healing research. Its manufacturing cost per milligram is much lower than complex larger peptides, making larger vial sizes practical and economical.
Can GHK-Cu be combined with BPC-157 and TB-500 in research? The Glow Stack formulation (GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500) is designed for researchers studying combined skin repair, anti-aging, and wound healing mechanisms. The compounds are typically reconstituted separately to maintain individual concentration control. See our Glow Stack Complete Guide for research context.
Does GHK-Cu change color after reconstitution? Reconstituted GHK-Cu solutions typically have a light blue or blue-green hue due to the copper ion complexation. This is normal and expected. A clear solution may indicate reduced copper binding; cloudiness or precipitate is not expected and may indicate a reconstitution or quality issue.
Source Your GHK-Cu from Palmetto Peptides
Palmetto Peptides supplies GHK-Cu with third-party purity verification and lot-specific COA documentation, available in both 50mg and 100mg research quantities.
Order GHK-Cu Research Peptide →
Related research tools:
- BPC-157 Research Peptide — tissue repair compound, component of Glow Stack
- Glow Stack (GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500) — pre-matched vial set for skin and tissue research
- Bacteriostatic Water (BAC Water) — pharmaceutical-grade reconstitution solvent