What is the difference between sterilized, de ionize and distil water? Under what circumstances we have to use sterilize, deionize or distil water? For which experiments we have to use these distinct waters?
Sterilized water is water that has been autoclaved to remove bacteria. It has NOT been tested for the presence of heavy metals or for pH.
Distilled water is water from steam that is collected. It is also tested to make sure it doesn't have heavy metals, pathogens, etc. The pH is known. If the bottle is new and unopened, it is also sterile.
Basically, if all you are concerned only with whether or not you have bacteria in your experiment, use sterilized water. It is cheapest since you can make it yourself.
For molecular biology experiments (PCR, cloning, protein work, etc) you should use the distilled water.
if you are working with RNA you must treat your distilled water with DEPC then autoclave it before use, your glassware should also DEPC treated or oven backed. if you are working with DNA i think autoclaved distilled water would be enough.
In the laboratories I have worked in the common water is sterile distilled.
In molecular biology experiments (NGS, PCR, RNA, DNA ...) it is better to use molecular grade water....which in most cases is ultra-purified- UV processed water..
Most times, choice of sterilizing agent depend of what materials you are working with, as well as the expected results. When working with RNA, diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) is an important sterilizing agent needed to inactivate RNases. EDTA can be used when working with DNA because it inactivates DNase enzymes.
For most molecular biology experiments or testing, it is best to use molecular grade ultra-purified water. If you use less than one liter per week, it makes most sense to purchase the water in liter bottles (~$50USD). If you use more, it would make sense to purchase a water purification system. I would not use sterilized or distilled water.
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