Hello everyone, I'm trying to find the most practical and effective way to preserve and transport seafood tissue samples from a remote area for methyl-mercury analysis back in Australia. All the literature states that samples for this type of analysis were frozen upon collection at -18 to -20 degrees C but at the moment there isn't a freezer available at the sample site until we're back on the main island. I have considered the possibility of liquid nitrogen and a dry shipper but I have not used one before and wondering if it would stay cold enough if brought from Australia for the two-week trip. We then have the task of bringing them to Australia - in the past for genetics this was easier as I just used ethanol, but from what I've read this will be problematic due to the digestion acids used in the mercury analysis. Let me know your thoughts - thanks in advance.
you have prepare seafood oil extract and after using our project
Besides decomp, want to avoid repeated freeze - thaw cycles that will result in water loss and change in fresh wet; unless you plan to freeze dry and report dry wt. Don't suppose you could freeze dry? I have held samples on wet ice for a day or so and then got them into freezer. I have also used dry ice on the road and for shipping over night but this doesn't sound like an option either for you.
Hi Darren, thanks for the reply - I could see if this is an option. I'm presuming I would need a freeze-dryer, does this need to be a lab-grade device? I know I've seen smaller (kitchen/domestic) ones that could potentially be taken into the field and used. Can you explain why repeated freeze/thaw cycles would affect the methyl mercury concentration? Does this induce any reaction in the tissues? I was under the impression it wouldn't change much.
I am cautious about anything that will cause moisture loss because I tend to report on a wet weight basis. I worry that repeated freezing-thawing will allow water loss that could have significant effect depending on amount of tissue used for analysis. If you plan on reporting on dry weight and have already determined moisture content (if you want to allow for conversion to wet weight) - no worries.
Darren is there any refrigeration available. A 25L N dewar that is kept in "cool conditions might work
I would be afraid that if its stored in "warm conditions the N will vent off
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