Primocin shelf life at 20degC?

Hello Randy,

Utilizing expired antibiotics in laboratory settings raises concerns regarding their efficacy and potential impact on experimental outcomes. While there is limited research specifically addressing the effectiveness of InvivoGen's Primocin antibiotic solution beyond its expiry date, several general principles and methodologies can guide your evaluation.

Literature Review: Conduct a thorough literature review to identify any studies or reports discussing the stability and efficacy of similar antibiotic solutions beyond their expiry dates. Although direct evidence on Primocin may be scarce, insights from related antibiotics can offer valuable guidance.

Microbiological Assays: Perform microbiological assays to assess the antimicrobial activity of the expired Primocin solution. This can involve testing the solution against known bacterial strains using methods such as agar diffusion assays or broth microdilution assays. Comparing the results with those obtained using a fresh, unexpired sample can provide insights into the potency of the expired solution.

Cell Culture Viability Assays: Conduct cell viability assays using primary human cells cultured in media supplemented with the expired Primocin solution. Compare the growth kinetics, morphology, and overall health of cells cultured with expired versus unexpired Primocin. This can help determine if the expired solution adequately protects cells from contamination.

Quality Control Standards: Consult relevant quality control standards and guidelines for pharmaceuticals and laboratory reagents. While these standards may not directly address expired Primocin, they offer criteria for evaluating the stability and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, which can inform your assessment.

Consultation with Manufacturer: Reach out to InvivoGen or the manufacturer of Primocin to inquire about their recommendations or any available data on the stability and efficacy of the product beyond its expiry date. They may provide insights or guidance specific to Primocin that can inform your decision-making process.

Risk Assessment: Consider the potential risks associated with using expired antibiotics in your experiments, including compromised experimental integrity, increased likelihood of contamination, and potential harm to cells or organisms under study. Balance these risks against the benefits and necessity of using the expired solution.

In summary, a combination of microbiological assays, cell culture viability tests, literature review, consultation with the manufacturer, and adherence to quality control standards can guide your assessment of the effectiveness of expired Primocin solution. Prioritize experimental integrity and safety when making decisions regarding its use in laboratory settings.

Best regards, Tarun Parashar

Mehrab Dashtdar

Primocin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial solution that is commonly used to supplement cell culture media to prevent microbial contamination. The expiration date provided by the manufacturer is generally a conservative estimate based on stability testing under recommended storage conditions.

In my experience, properly aliquoted and stored Primocin samples (at -20°C) can often remain effective for some time beyond the expiration date, potentially up to 6-12 months depending on the specific storage conditions and handling. However, it's important to note that the potency and efficacy may start to diminish over time.

To help determine the ongoing effectiveness of your 'expired' Primocin stock, I would suggest a few simple tests:

1. Antimicrobial activity assay: Prepare dilutions of the Primocin solution and test its ability to inhibit the growth of known microbes (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus) in a standard agar-based antimicrobial susceptibility assay. Compare the inhibition zones to those obtained with a freshly prepared Primocin solution.

2. Cell viability assay: Assess the impact of the expired Primocin on the growth and viability of your primary human cell cultures. Supplement the media with the expired Primocin and evaluate parameters like cell proliferation, morphology, and overall health compared to cultures supplemented with freshly prepared Primocin.

3. Analytical testing: If available, you could perform analytical testing (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS) to measure the concentration of the active components in the expired Primocin solution and compare it to the manufacturer's specifications.

Keep in mind that the efficacy of the expired Primocin may vary depending on the specific storage conditions, handling, and the sensitivity of the microbes or cell types you are working with. It's advisable to perform these tests with appropriate controls and replicates to get a better understanding of the continued effectiveness of your Primocin stock.

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