MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. Store the dry powder at −20 °C and keep reconstituted solution at 4 °C for up to 4 weeks. Always check the certificate of analysis for purity above 98% before using any vial.
What Is MOTS-c Peptide
MOTS-c is a signalling peptide produced by mitochondria — the parts of the cell responsible for energy production. It was identified in 2015 by a research group at USC studying why certain regions of mitochondrial DNA appeared to encode functional proteins despite being largely overlooked.
MOTS-c circulates in human blood, and levels naturally change with age. That pattern is one reason researchers find it a useful subject for laboratory investigation.
What Is MOTS-c 10mg and 40mg
The numbers refer to the amount of peptide in the vial, not any per-use quantity. A 10 mg vial contains 10 milligrams of lyophilised — freeze-dried — powder. A 40 mg vial contains four times that amount.
Researchers typically work with 10 mg vials for shorter experiments. The 40 mg format suits longer studies where reconstituting multiple smaller vials would introduce unnecessary handling steps and potential for contamination.
MOTS-c Storage: Powder and Reconstituted
Dry powder stores best at −20 °C. At that temperature, an unopened vial is stable for at least 24 months. Brief handling at room temperature during shipping or transfer will not compromise lyophilised peptide. What degrades it is repeated temperature cycling or extended time above 4 °C.
Avoid frost-free freezers where possible. Frost-free models cycle above freezing regularly to clear ice, which creates exactly the kind of temperature swings that reduce stability.
After reconstitution, store the solution at 4 °C in a standard lab refrigerator. Use it within 4 weeks. Beyond that window, degradation accelerates enough that concentration accuracy cannot be relied upon.
A few practical handling rules:
- Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water rather than plain sterile water, so the solution resists microbial growth across the storage period
- Keep vials away from direct light; UV exposure breaks peptide bonds
- Use a fresh needle each time you draw from a multi-use vial to avoid introducing contamination
- If the solution looks cloudy or has visible particles, do not use it
MOTS-c COA: Purity and What to Look For
A COA — certificate of analysis — is the test report that accompanies a batch of peptide. It records which analytical methods were used to verify the material and what the results were.
For MOTS-c, look for:
- Purity above 98% by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography, a method that separates compounds in a sample so the proportion of each can be measured)
- Correct molecular weight confirmed by mass spectrometry — for MOTS-c that is approximately 2174 daltons
- Batch number that matches the number printed on your vial
- Test date — a COA from a different production run tells you nothing about your specific vial
A 10 mg COA and a 40 mg COA should look identical in terms of purity and method. Vial size does not change what good analytical data looks like. If purity is listed below 98%, or if the document shows no method detail, ask the supplier for clarification before proceeding with your research.
Some suppliers publish COAs on their product pages; others provide them on request. Either approach is normal. What matters is that the data is traceable to a specific batch.
Practical Summary
MOTS-c is a mitochondria-derived peptide studied for its properties at the cellular level. Keep dry powder at −20 °C, reconstituted solution at 4 °C, and use within 4 weeks of reconstitution. When reviewing a COA, confirm purity is above 98% by HPLC and that the batch number matches your vial — those two checks tell you the most about what is actually in the vial.
NXT Labs products are sold strictly as research chemicals for in vitro research, laboratory testing and analytical purposes only, and are not intended for use in any human or animal application.
NXT Labs supplies research peptides for laboratory use. Browse the full range or view current Certificates of Analysis.
