A potent and persistent non-mammalian derived vasodilator, maxadilan (Maxa) consists of 61 amino acids with two disulfide linkages and acts as an agonist of the type I receptor of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), although there is very little sequence similarity. The total chemical syntheses of Maxa, its disulfide isomers and various fragments have been performed successfully by highly efficient solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). A "difficult sequence", envisaged in the middle region of Maxa, could be overcome by improved synthesis protocols. After assembly peptides were liberated from the resin by cleavage. Peptides having disulfide(s) were purified by two steps of preparative HPLC using cation exchange followed by reverse phase columns. Purified peptides were characterized by HPLC, Edman-sequencing, amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry in addition to disulfide form determination. The peptides obtained were used for recognition studies by the melanophore assay to confirm the native disulfide form. Peptide libraries related to Maxa, produced in the present study, will be useful for the elucidation of the structural requirements of Maxa for interaction with the PACAP type 1 receptor (PAC1).