Melanotan 2 (MT-II)
Tanning Peptide
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH),
engineered for stability and receptor affinity at the melanocortin receptor system.
Baltic Peptides supplies MT-II as a lyophilized powder at ≥99% analytical purity,
produced under strict quality control conditions and verified by independent third-party laboratory analysis.
This compound is made available exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes
by qualified scientific investigators and research institutions.
Third-Party Verified · COA Available
Analytical Purity
HPLC · Mass Spec Verified
Key Features
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Purity — ≥99% by HPLC analysis
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Form — Lyophilized powder, single-use vials
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Storage (long-term) — −20 °C, protected from light
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Storage (short-term) — 2–8 °C up to 4 weeks
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Solubility — Sterile water or bacteriostatic water
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Classification — Research use only (RUO)
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Testing — Independent third-party batch verification
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Documentation — Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch
Scientific Overview
Compound Background
Melanotan 2 (MT-II) is a cyclic heptapeptide first developed at the University of Arizona
as a more metabolically stable analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).
Structurally, it incorporates a lactam bridge between the lysine and aspartic acid residues,
conferring significantly enhanced resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to the native hormone.
The compound interacts with the melanocortin receptor family — principally MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R —
which are expressed across a wide range of tissue types in mammalian models.
Mechanism of Action (Research Context)
Melanotan 2 functions as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. Upon binding to MC1R,
which is expressed on melanocytes, it activates the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP signalling cascade,
upregulating eumelanin synthesis and promoting melanocyte proliferation and dendrite formation.
This mechanism underlies its primary research interest in pigmentation biology and photoprotection science.
The compound’s affinity for MC3R and MC4R — receptors expressed centrally in hypothalamic nuclei —
has also positioned MT-II as a research tool in studies investigating energy homeostasis,
appetite regulation, and neuroendocrine signalling. Its binding at MC4R has been particularly
examined in preclinical models of energy expenditure and metabolic modulation.
As with all melanocortin analogues, MT-II exhibits pleiotropic receptor binding profiles,
which necessitates careful experimental design to isolate receptor-specific effects in research settings.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Peptide Name | Melanotan 2 (Melanotan II, MT-II) |
| Molecular Formula | C50H69N15O9 |
| Molecular Weight | 1024.18 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 121062-08-6 |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂ |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Solubility | Sterile water, bacteriostatic water (≥1 mg/mL) |
| Long-Term Storage | −20 °C, away from light and moisture |
| Short-Term Storage | 2–8 °C (up to 4 weeks) |
| Reconstituted Stability | Up to 28 days at 2–8 °C |
| Research Classification | Research Use Only (RUO) |
Lab Testing & Quality Assurance
Baltic Peptides operates under a rigorous quality framework designed to meet the standards
expected by the research community. Every batch of Melanotan 2 undergoes multi-method
analytical verification prior to release.
HPLC Purity Analysis
High-performance liquid chromatography confirms ≥99% peptide purity with quantified impurity profiling per batch.
Mass Spectrometry
ESI-MS or MALDI-TOF confirms correct molecular mass and identity, ruling out sequence errors or adducts.
Certificate of Analysis
A full COA is issued per batch and available on request, documenting all analytical results and traceability data.
Third-Party Verification
Independent laboratory testing is used to validate results, ensuring no conflict of interest in quality reporting.
To request the Certificate of Analysis for the current Melanotan 2 batch,
please contact the Baltic Peptides quality team via the support portal.
Batch-specific documentation is retained and verifiable upon inquiry.
Storage & Handling Guidelines
Proper storage is essential to preserving the structural integrity and analytical
specification of lyophilized peptides. The following guidelines apply to all
Baltic Peptides MT-II research-grade product:
Lyophilized (Unopened)
Store at −20 °C in original sealed vial. Stable for 24 months from manufacture date.
Short-Term (Unopened)
2–8 °C acceptable for up to 4 weeks without measurable degradation.
Reconstituted Solution
Store at 2–8 °C. Use within 28 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Light & Moisture
Protect from direct light and ambient humidity. Keep vials sealed until point of use.
⚠ Research Use Only — Important Notice
The products offered by Baltic Peptides are supplied exclusively for in vitro research,
laboratory investigation, and preclinical study by qualified professionals operating
within appropriately licensed or regulated research environments.
Melanotan 2 (MT-II) is not approved for human or veterinary therapeutic use
by any national medicines authority, including the EMA, FDA, or MHRA.
It is not intended for self-administration, clinical application, or use in any
context outside of legitimate scientific research.
Baltic Peptides assumes no liability for misuse of any product beyond its stated research designation.
By completing a purchase, the buyer confirms they are a qualified researcher and acknowledges
the research-use-only classification of this compound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Melanotan 2 used for in research?
In preclinical and in vitro research settings, Melanotan 2 (MT-II) is principally studied
in the context of melanocortin receptor pharmacology. Its primary areas of scientific
investigation include:
- Pigmentation biology and eumelanin synthesis via MC1R activation
- Neuroendocrine signalling through hypothalamic MC3R and MC4R pathways
- Energy homeostasis and metabolic modelling in animal model systems
- Photoprotection mechanisms and UV-induced melanogenesis
MT-II is not approved for any therapeutic indication and is supplied strictly for
laboratory-based scientific research.
What purity level does Baltic Peptides’ MT-II meet?
All Melanotan 2 supplied by Baltic Peptides meets a minimum analytical purity of
≥99% as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Identity
is additionally confirmed by mass spectrometry. A full Certificate of Analysis
documenting these results is available per batch on request.
How should Melanotan 2 peptide be stored to maintain stability?
In lyophilized form, MT-II is stable for up to 24 months when stored at −20 °C
in the original sealed vial, protected from light and moisture. Short-term storage
at 2–8 °C is acceptable for up to 4 weeks without significant degradation.
Once reconstituted in sterile or bacteriostatic water, the solution should be
refrigerated at 2–8 °C and used within 28 days. Avoid freeze-thaw cycling
of the reconstituted product.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and is one available?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a formal quality document issued per production
batch that records the results of all analytical testing — including HPLC purity data,
mass spectrometry identity confirmation, and physical characterisation. It provides
traceability from synthesis through to final release testing.
Baltic Peptides issues a COA for every batch of Melanotan 2. Researchers may request
batch-specific documentation via the product support portal prior to or following purchase.
Is Melanotan 2 tested by an independent third-party laboratory?
Yes. Baltic Peptides uses independent third-party analytical laboratories to verify
purity, identity, and quality of research peptides including Melanotan 2. This process
is separate from in-house quality checks and ensures unbiased, verifiable analytical data.
Third-party laboratory results are incorporated into the batch COA.
What are the shipping and handling conditions for this peptide?
Melanotan 2 is dispatched in lyophilized form, which confers inherent stability advantages
during transit compared to liquid formulations. Orders are processed with appropriate
temperature-protective packaging to maintain product integrity during shipping.
Expedited shipping options are available for temperature-sensitive orders upon request.
All parcels are securely packaged to prevent physical damage to vials in transit.
What solvent should be used to reconstitute Melanotan 2 for research?
For research purposes, MT-II lyophilized powder is typically reconstituted using sterile
water for injection (WFI) or bacteriostatic water. The peptide demonstrates good solubility
at concentrations of ≥1 mg/mL in these solvents at ambient or slightly elevated temperature.
Acetic acid solutions (0.1–1%) may be used if solubility challenges arise, though this
should be assessed against downstream assay compatibility in the specific research context.
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