I want to reuse the polycarbonate tubes for isolating exosomes. However i can see some sucrose stuck to the bottom of the ultracentrifuge tube from the previous isolation which is not getting removed despite thorough washing. If anybody is reusing his/her tubes i kindly request them to share their protocol for cleaning the tubes.
Thank you
Polycarbonate tubes can be washed and reused for exosome isolation. I have repeatedly used Beckman polycarbonate ultracentrifuge tubes for my exosome isolation. There is a list of chemicals and agents which can be used safely with polycarbonate tubes. But basically, one can safely use mild detergent to wash the tubes and followed by thorough rinsing with DI/DD water.
Check out this list which shows which detergents are safe and which ones arent (page 12 of the document).
https://www.beckmancoulter.com/ucm/idc/groups/public/documents/webasset/glb_bci_149441.pdf
Are you sure that its sucrose and not some cellular debris or something else from the serum present in the culture media, which is 'stuck' to the bottom of the tubes? Anyhow, you should be able to get rid of the 'pellet' with a detergent wash though.
https://www.beckmancoulter.com/ucm/idc/groups/public/documents/webasset/glb_bci_149441.pdf
Polycarbonate tubes can be washed and reused for exosome isolation. I have repeatedly used Beckman polycarbonate ultracentrifuge tubes for my exosome isolation. There is a list of chemicals and agents which can be used safely with polycarbonate tubes. But basically, one can safely use mild detergent to wash the tubes and followed by thorough rinsing with DI/DD water.
Check out this list which shows which detergents are safe and which ones arent (page 12 of the document).
https://www.beckmancoulter.com/ucm/idc/groups/public/documents/webasset/glb_bci_149441.pdf
Are you sure that its sucrose and not some cellular debris or something else from the serum present in the culture media, which is 'stuck' to the bottom of the tubes? Anyhow, you should be able to get rid of the 'pellet' with a detergent wash though.
https://www.beckmancoulter.com/ucm/idc/groups/public/documents/webasset/glb_bci_149441.pdf
I soak my tubes overnight to get rid of sticky pellets. In the above links, they provide a brush that is safe (not cause scratches to the tubes) and soap (I think it's called detergent 555) and used diluted. If that doesn't work then maybe check which safe solvents can be used with these type of tubes.
thanks a lot raj and ola, that was really helpful. Any suggestions on how many times they can be reused . I have already reused the tubes 3 times and notice that they have turned from being transparent to slightly translucent or opaque. Will repeated washing and reuse alter the chemical properties of polycarbonate thus indirectly influencing exosome isolation.
Have you used Alcohol on them while cleaning. so each type of tubes have a list of chemicals that could do that and make them fragile. Alcohol is one of those with polycarb tubes. they can go for months as long as no cracks developed or used a wrong chemical on them. Mine are not as clear as new but not too opaque. Washing with their detergent diluted is safe, no harsh soaps. Water is better till you get it.
Thanks ola for your reply. Yah initially i did use alcohol for cleaning the tubes. But when i got to know that alcohol can be damaging i stopped using it. Can 10% SDS be used as a mild detergent.
I don't know. Stability tests were done to the tubes by the company, I don't recall reading SDS tested.
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