[Nhcoll-l] Molecular sieve (Zeolite) for conservation

[Robert Waller]

Hi Marta,
I assume here you are using the product for initial drying of material. For adsorbing water there should be no fundamental difference between silica gels (different “grades”) and zeolites (different structures). In a practical sense, you want the largest sorption capacity between the starting relative humidity (I presume close to 100% for fresh material) and the desired relative humidity to be reached. You ought to be able to find that in the technical specifications for any of those products. If you are using the product for maintaining a lower than room ambient relative humidity in the long term, then characteristic of the packaging are likely more important then which desiccant you choose. Still, optimizing the choice of desiccant for that purpose would be a matter of choosing the highest sorption capacity between your initial closure relative humidity (very low?) and the collection space average annual relative humidity. Conceivably, there may be an issue of sorption of organic volatiles but it would be more challenging to identify differences between silica gels and zeolites from that perspective and it may not have any relevance to DNA preservation.
If the product is to provide long-term low relative humidity control then you should consult with a conservator to determine how to match sorbent, packaging, and maintenance schedule to ensure success.
Best,
Rob

Robert Waller, PhD, CAPC, FIIC
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Marta Pérez
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2022 10:36 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Molecular sieve (Zeolite) for conservation

Hello, I don't know if my message went unnoticed or if nobody has an answer. I ask again, just in case!
Does anyone have experience in preserving dry tissues with molecular sieve? We are considering testing it for our plant tissue bank instead of other substances previously used, like regular silica gel or Artsorb, because it appears to be more effective. We found this Zeolite molecular sieve, but maybe you are using other compositions. We are primarily concerned about possible interferences/contamination of this type of preservative in future DNA analysis.
Thanks for your answers,
Regards,

Marta Pérez Azcárate
Laboratori de Conservació Preventiva i Restauració
Grop
Nat-Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona
Laboratori de Natura
Pg Picasso s/n
08003 Barcelona
Tel. 932562209
marta.perez.cr at gmail.com<mailto:marta.perez.cr at gmail.com>
https://museuciencies.cat/area-cientifica/serveis-cientifico-tecnics/laboratoris-tecnics/conservacio-preventiva-i-restauracio/<http://www.museuciencies.cat/es>
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