The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) will be changing its name to the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) on 1 July 2025. The new website address will be www.phfscience.nz as of this date. Visitors will automatically be redirected to the new address, but we would appreciate you checking and updating any links and bookmarks after this change.

Recommendations for the processing and storage of water samples before polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis

Abstract

A range of options for the storage and partial processing of water samples before polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis were evaluated. In addition, temporal storage of extracted DNA at 4 °C was investigated. Filtering the water sample and then storing that filter at −20 °C for up to six months before DNA extraction was equivalent to extracting DNA immediately. Freezing a water sample resulted in an immediate 1 log loss of PCR signal, although thereafter the sample was stable for at least three months. A rapid loss of detectable PCR product was found when storing a water sample at 4 °C for longer than one week. Extracted DNA could be stored at 4 °C for at least six months without considerable loss of PCR signal.

view journal