Glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms used across our products and guides.
- Bacteriostatic water
- Sterile water containing 0.9% (9 mg/mL) benzyl alcohol, a bacteriostatic preservative that inhibits the growth of most common bacteria. The preservative is what allows a sealed multi-dose vial to be accessed repeatedly rather than used once and discarded. For laboratory and research use only.
- Sterile water
- Purified water that has been filtered to remove microorganisms and sealed under sterile conditions, with no preservative added. Because there is no bacteriostatic agent, a sterile water vial is intended for a single withdrawal and should not be re-entered.
- Bacteriostatic sodium chloride (saline)
- An isotonic 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution with benzyl alcohol added as a bacteriostatic preservative, allowing repeated access to a sealed multi-dose vial. 0.9% is the standard isotonic concentration used as a laboratory diluent.
- Benzyl alcohol
- A colourless aromatic alcohol used as a preservative in laboratory solutions. At 0.9% (9 mg/mL) it acts as a bacteriostatic agent, holding bacterial growth in check after a vial's seal is broken.
- Bacteriostatic
- Describes an agent that inhibits bacterial growth (as opposed to bactericidal, which kills bacteria). A bacteriostatic preservative keeps a multi-dose vial usable across repeated withdrawals.
- Reconstitution
- The process of dissolving or diluting a substance in a liquid (a diluent) such as bacteriostatic or sterile water, to prepare it for laboratory use.
- Multi-dose vial
- A sealed vial designed to be entered more than once. With a bacteriostatic preservative present, the contents stay protected between withdrawals when the stopper is swabbed before each access.
- Isotonic
- A solution whose salt concentration matches that of a standard 0.9% saline reference — neither more nor less concentrated — which is why 0.9% saline is widely used as a laboratory diluent and rinse.
- Laboratory grade
- Material filled under sterile conditions and filtered to remove microorganisms, suitable for laboratory and research use. Aus BAC Supply products are laboratory grade and supplied for research use only — not therapeutic goods.
For laboratory and research use only. Aus BAC Supply products are not for human or veterinary use.