[Nhcoll-l] Ethanol concentration for tissue samples

[Callomon,Paul]

As Simon points out, it depends what you want the specimen for. On the one hand, in our experience clean DNA (single genes or the whole thing) can be got from specimens in concentrations as low as 70% (though there is some variation between organisms); on the other, 95% will shrink and harden a specimen, making it difficult to do anatomical work without rehydration that itself damages cells. Absolute alcohol (99.9%) has been denatured using chemicals, as distillation only gets purity up to 95%. Any trace denaturant might have unpredictable long-term effects on the specimen.

PC

Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Simon Moore
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 12:47 PM
To: Sarah K. Huber
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu; Eric Hilton
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Ethanol concentration for tissue samples

Hi Sarah,


Presumably this relates to preservation of DNA?  If so, then it was agreed, a few years ago, that using 96% ethanol and stored at 5 deg. C was the best.  99% and absolute were found to be less effective.
I am sure there will be other comments relating to this.

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
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On 27 Jan 2016, at 17:34, Sarah K. Huber <skhuber at vims.edu<mailto:skhuber at vims.edu>> wrote:


I recently had a graduate student request 100% absolute ethanol to use for preserving tissue samples (fish muscle and/or fins). We routinely use 95% ethanol (and all tissue samples are then stored in a -80 freezer); however, the student is adamant that 100% is the only preservative that is acceptable for tissue preservation. Does anyone have an opinion on 95% versus 100% ethanol for tissue preservation? There is a very steep price difference between the two fluids, and my understanding is that 95% ethanol preserves tissues just as well as 100%.


Thanks,
Sarah

Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
Curatorial Associate, VIMS Nunnally Ichthyology Collection
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