Hello, I am wondering whether Isopropanol (cheaper) can be used in the same way as ethanol for preservation and storage for molecular and DNA analyses, particularly for insect samples. Any ideas or experiences?
Thanks
I usually use ethanol 70% for preserving mites and Collembola and as usual protocol the best solution for later DNA extraction is ethanol 95%.
Subhajit Pal
Alexander Egyir-Yawson
Nahason Mugao
M. Haris-Hussain
Sunil Kumar Ghosh
Imdad Husen Mukeri
Nassreen N Mzhr
Md. Abdur Razzak Choudhury
Ethanol (70% to 80%) is usually the best general preserving agent. Its better harden the specimens than Isopropanol. The specific concentration to use depends on the kind of insect or mite to be preserved.
Dear Benjamin Matthias Barth
Ethanol only. Moreover, 96% is not lower. I first dip the sample in ethanol in one container and then transfer it to another container for storage. So that the concentration of alcohol does not fall. Freezing is another option, but the camera should not be thawed and the object should be analyzed immediately after removal.
Regards, Pushkin Sergey Viktorovich
You can use ethanol also called ethyl alcohol to preserve insects. Please also see link below.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pests-weeds-diseases/insects/preserving-insects-related-arthropods
Ethanol ( ethyl alcohol) mixed with water (70% to 80% alcohol) is usually the best general killing and preserving agent. isopropanol, or isopropyl alcohol. Isopropanol does not seem to harden specimens as much as ethanol. The specific concentration to use depends on the kind of insect or mite to be preserved. In general, specimens for molecular work should be collected in 95% or absolute (100%) ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Thoroughly dehydrate specimens by changing the alcohol at least a couple of times before storing them for any length of time. It is also advisable to keep specimens cold or, if possible, frozen.
Thanks
95% ethanol are preferred for longer preservation of samples, if someone are interested in genetic studies further.
I have always used Ethanol at 70% for storing insects for later use in DNA extraction and further downstream processing.
When ticks are preserved in ethanol, they die with their legs folded ventrally; so during future manipulation, the legs tend to break off the body. To maintain the morphological integrity and ease of manipulation in future, I preserve my ticks in glyco-ethanol (1-3% glycerine added to 90% ethanol). For longer preservation to extract DNA, I use RNA Stabilization fluid or store in liquid Nitrogen.
Usually we just use ethanol 70% in laboratory. Haven't try isopropanol yet.
I agree with Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Khan ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is commonly used for insect preservation.
Ethyl alcohol (also called ethanol) kills bacteria by dissociating/dissolving the bacteria's cellular membrane. And absolutely right is also used as preservative to insect also.
I have always used Ethanol at 70% for storing insects for later use in DNA extraction
I usually use ethanol 70% for preserving mites and Collembola and as usual protocol the best solution for later DNA extraction is ethanol 95%.
Subhajit Pal
Alexander Egyir-Yawson
Nahason Mugao
M. Haris-Hussain
Sunil Kumar Ghosh
Imdad Husen Mukeri
Nassreen N Mzhr
Md. Abdur Razzak Choudhury
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