Hi Luigi,

You can store stool samples at -20C might safely at least for a few months (Song et al. Preservation methods differ in fecal microbiome stability, affecting suitability for field studies. mSystems 2016;1. and Kim et al. Optimizing methods and dodging pitfalls in microbiome research. Microbiome 2017;5:52).

Once the stool samples are frozen, the stool sample can maintain a stable microbial community for up to 2 years (Shaw et al. Latitude in sample handling and storage for infant fecal microbiota studies: the elephant in the room? Microbiome 2016;4).

Kerim

Abdulkerim Eroglu, PhD

Assistant Professor in Nutrigenomics

Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry

Plants for Human Health Institute

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

North Carolina State University

Thank you, I read the articles but they are focused on DNA extraction. Essentially, it is like doing a pellet for mammal cells. But would the bacteria remain alive so that I can cultivate them and isolate them?

Think you need to validate your own protocol.