Melanotan 2 (MT-2)

Melanotan 2 comes as 10mg of freeze-dried research compound in a crimp-sealed glass vial. In short, it’s a cyclic melanocortin agonist. It’s meant for lab and analytical work only.

Melanotan 2 also comes as a 10mg trio (three vials) and as a ready-made nasal spray. Ask our support team for the spray’s concentration before you order it.

Melanotan 2 certificate of analysis

Freedom Diagnostics, an independent US lab, tested Melanotan 2 for Onyx Research using HPLC-UV for purity and mass spectrometry for identity. The certificate sits in the gallery next to the vial photos.

• Melanotan 2 10mg: 99.603% purity, reported 11/24/2025, search code Onyx2511200076

Want to verify it? Each search code above opens the original report on the Freedom Diagnostics site. The best figure on file is 99.603%.

What is Melanotan 2 (MT-2)?

Melanotan 2 (Melanotan II) is a cyclic seven-amino-acid peptide based on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. A ring structure makes it far more stable than the natural hormone.

It acts on several melanocortin receptors at once, MC1R through MC5R. MC1R controls skin pigment, which is why it’s studied for tanning, and its effects on MC4R led to the development of PT-141.

Mechanism of action

Melanotan 2 activates MC1R on pigment cells, which drives eumelanin production and darker pigmentation. Unlike Melanotan 1, it also acts strongly on MC3R and MC4R in the brain.

That brain activity explains the effects on appetite and sexual function seen in early studies, and it’s the reason PT-141 was developed from it.

Melanotan 2 details

• Compound: Melanotan 2 (MT-2)
• CAS number: 121062-08-6
• Molecular formula: C50H69N15O9
• Molecular weight: 1,024.2 g/mol
• Structure: cyclic heptapeptide
• Amount per vial: 10mg
• Form: lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a crimp-sealed glass vial
• SKU: ONYX-MT2
• Use: laboratory research only

Research findings

It was developed at the University of Arizona in the late 1980s and 90s, by a team including Mac Hadley and Victor Hruby, as a way to tan skin without UV exposure. Early human studies confirmed the tanning effect.

It was never approved, and several health agencies have warned against unlicensed use. It’s sold here strictly for research.

You can read the original papers through this PubMed search for Melanotan 2, a free database from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

How Melanotan 2 compares

In one line, the peptide is a cyclic melanocortin agonist studied for pigmentation. The closest alternatives work differently:

• GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide tied to collagen and tissue remodeling

Skin research splits into copper peptide remodeling, pigment work with melanocortins and antioxidant studies. Every one of them is in stock in our skin and tanning peptides.

Melanotan 2 dilution chart

Pick your water volume first and the strength follows from it. With the 10mg vial:

• Add 1mL: 10mg/mL (1,000mcg per 0.1mL, or 10 units on a U-100 syringe)
• Add 2mL: 5mg/mL (500mcg per 0.1mL, or 10 units on a U-100 syringe)
• Add 3mL: 3.33mg/mL (333.3mcg per 0.1mL, or 10 units on a U-100 syringe)

Give a cold vial five minutes on the bench, then swab the top. Let the bacteriostatic water trickle down the side and roll the vial gently between your palms. It should turn clear within a minute or two.

Storage and stability

Two rules cover the peptide storage: powder in the freezer, solution in the fridge. Keep both away from light and damp, since those break freeze-dried peptides down fastest.

Let a frozen vial come up to room temperature before you open it, or condensation forms on the powder.

Checking your vials

Start with the label: Onyx Research, the compound name and the amount should all match what you ordered. Then look at the seal. The crimp should be tight with no cracks in the glass.

The powder should look dry and pale, either as a solid cake or loose granules. If the cake has crumbled in the box, that’s expected. Powder that looks wet, gummy or off-color is not, so keep that vial out of use and send us a photo.

A one-line note per vial is enough: date received, date mixed and how much diluent went in.

Melanotan 2 options and prices

Every the peptide option we carry, with today’s price:

• 10mg: $99.00
• 10mg Trio (3 Vials): $210.00
• Nasal Spray: $130.00

Related products

• GHK-Cu Copper Peptide, a copper peptide
• GLOW Blend 70mg (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500): GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 in one vial
• KLOW Blend 80mg (GHK-Cu, KPV, BPC-157, TB-500): GHK-Cu, KPV, BPC-157 and TB-500 in one vial
• Epitalon 10mg (Epithalon), a tetrapeptide
• Kisspeptin-10 10mg, a neuropeptide

For more options, open our skin and tanning peptides or head back to the Onyx Research home page.

Frequently asked questions

How much is in a Melanotan 2 vial?

10mg, as printed on the label.

How does ordering work?

Add it to the cart with anything else you need, then check out. Everything ships together.

Is there a lab report?

Yes. The certificate of analysis is in the product photos, and the purity results are listed on this page.

Which diluent should I use?

Most labs use bacteriostatic water, which we sell in three sizes. Check the chart on this page for the resulting strength.

Is there a crypto discount?

Yes. Pay with cryptocurrency at checkout and an extra discount comes off your order.

Buy Melanotan 2 today

Melanotan 2 is in stock from $99.00. Choose your option and add it to the cart, and your order ships free, wherever you are.

Crypto payments get an extra discount, applied at checkout.

Add more from our skin and tanning peptides and it all ships in one box.

Research use only. Onyx Research supplies this material to qualified labs for in-vitro work. It’s not a medicine, supplement, food or cosmetic, and it must not be given to people or animals. No statement here has been reviewed by the FDA.